Fight over Confederate Flag Decal Could Be Investigated as Hate Crime, Police Say

A fight outside a Salt Lake City hotel early Sunday morning could possibly be investigated as a hate crime, authorities said Monday.

Cell phone video captured an African American man throw a punch at a Caucasian man that knocked him out.

The fight was over an argument about a Confederate flag decal on a truck parked at the Red Lion Hotel.

The truck belonged to Kelly Leeper’s friend. Leeper was in town for the Garth Brooks concert.

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In one fast and powerful punch, Leeper’s friend was knocked out.

A scuffle ensued and Leeper was taken down by a group of six men.

“I’ll be damned if I ever come to Salt Lake again without bringing my gun,” Leeper said.

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Leeper said the fight turned racial with slurs going both ways by the time it was over.

“It could potentially be a hate crime,” Heiden said. “We’ll then present all that to the district attorney who will make that final determination.”

Both Leeper and his friend suffered cuts and bruises but neither were seriously hurt.

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