Indian-American motel manager punched to death in Oklahoma, one arrested

Indian American motel manager Hemant Mistry was tragically killed after being punched by a stranger in a motel parking lot in Oklahoma this weekend.

The 59-year-old died in a local hospital following the officer's response to the assault near I-40 and Meridian Avenue Saturday around 10 p.m.

Oklahoma police arrested the assaulter, Richard Lewis, 41.

Watch the assault footage here:

{Warning for violence}

How the motel night escalated to Mistry's death

CCTV footage suggests the 59-year-old motel manager had asked the man to leave the property, and they engaged in a minute-long heated conversation.

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The assaulter, Richard, can be seen dancing around, throwing his hands in an off-blue t-shirt, suddenly punches Mistry once, causing him to fall unconscious.

“One person was knocked unconscious during a physical confrontation,” said Msgt. Dillon Quirk with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

“It got confrontational when that suspect was asked to leave.”

Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, and Mistry was transported to a local hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 7:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Following the motel manager's death, police launched an investigation to locate the suspect. The man was eventually found and arrested at a different hotel near Meridian Avenue and Southwest 19th Street.

“Police were able to identify that suspect, make an arrest,” Quirk stated. “Located at a separate hotel.”

The motive behind Mistry's request for the man to leave the property remains unclear, and details surrounding the altercation are still being investigated.

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Initially booked on complaints of aggravated assault, it is expected that the charges will be upgraded to second-degree murder in light of Mistry's death.

Former charges are yet to be filed.

The Oklahoma City Police Department said that they are in the early stages of the investigation and are actively seeking any additional information. They urge anyone with knowledge about the incident to contact the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200.