Police search for suspects in attack that left man in coma

Victim regained consciousness after about 10 days after he was beaten at a Motel 6

Santa Fe police are searching for suspects in a June attack at the Motel 6 at 3007 Cerrillos Road that left a man hospitalized and in a coma for about 10 days, according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

Police on Wednesday obtained the guest information list for June 5-6 in order to gain investigative leads, according to the affidavit for a search warrant, filed on July 24.

According to the affidavit, Santa Fe police Sgt. Bryan Martinez found a man covered in blood and with a swollen left eye at the Motel 6 in the late evening of June 5. The man said he had been struck in the back of his head while fighting to protect himself from strangers.

During an initial interview with police, the man was unable to explain where he had been when attacked. He said his cellphone fell out of his pocket during the attack and he saw one of the suspects take it. Police reported that while the victim spoke with officers on the scene, he became dizzy and received aid from an ambulance worker.

According to the affidavit, the victim fell into a coma upon arriving at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and was administered last rites. He later regained consciousness, but according to the affidavit may have suffered brain damage, his mother told police.

During an interview with police after regaining consciousness, the victim told police five to seven men beat him while he was in the hotel’s back parking lot. He said they attacked him with fists when he told the men he didn’t have drugs after they had asked for some. He also told police he had seen one of the men enter a room of the hotel and thought he had been a guest.

Police spoke with a front desk clerk at the motel who had been working June 5 and recognized a picture of the victim, according to the affidavit. Police spokesman Greg Gurulé said no suspects had been identified as of Monday.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Santa Fe Police Department at 505428-3710.