Identity of man found beaten still unknown

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Police are still searching for the identity of a man who remains in critical condition at an Albuquerque hospital for treatment of wounds he sustained from being beaten early Thursday morning.

Capt. John Allen, a spokesman for the Gallup Police Department, said the agency is seeking the public's assistance in learning the identity of the man who was found critically injured in a bar ditch on Jay Street between McBride and Clay Streets at about 6 a.m. on Thursday. The area is within the Red Hill Trailer Park.

As of Monday afternoon, Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads the man's attackers. Anyone who knows of the man's identity is also asked to call the police department at 863-9365.

Allen said the Native American man is in his late teens to early twenties and has short black hair. He has a tattoo with the letter "S" on his left shoulder in old English and was wearing blue jeans and an Oakland Raiders t-shirt when he was found. His build is described as thin.

It is not known how the man was attacked. Allen said detectives have been unable to interview the man because he remains unconscious in the hospital's intensive care unit. He reportedly sustained head trauma.

Police did receive a call last week about the incident. However, the call was "dropped" before detectives could learn any useful information about the case.

Allen urges the caller to contact police again and said the information would be kept confidential.

CrimeStoppers can be reached at 722-6161.