‘Just horrible.’ 49ers fan in a coma after attack outside SoFi Stadium, CA cops say
Update: A suspect was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 3, multiple media outlets reported, after Inglewood City Mayor James Butts held a news conference asking for the person to come forward and describing security footage of the incident. The suspect’s name has not been released.
Original story:
A San Francisco 49ers fan and restaurant owner was put into a coma after being assaulted during the NFC championship game in California, police told multiple news outlets.
Daniel Luna, 40, was found with severe injuries around 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, by paramedics in the SoFi Stadium parking lot in Inglewood, police told KTVU.
The game between the 49ers and the Los Angles Rams began at 3:40 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Luna was wearing a 49ers jersey and black pants when he was found, The Los Angeles Times reported.
The hospital Luna was taken to put him in a medically induced coma and told police his wounds appeared to be from an attack, KTTV reported.
“They believe he suffered from an assault at the stadium to his upper body and facial area,” Inglewood Police Lt. Geoffrey Meeks told The Los Angeles Times.
The 49ers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.
“What happened to Daniel Luna is reprehensible, and we strongly condemn all violence. We know local authorities are conducting a full investigation and we’re here to support them however we can. Our thoughts and prayers go to Mr. Luna, his family, friends, and the medical team providing him care,” a spokesperson for the 49ers told KCBS-TV.
Friends are worried about Luna, also a chef and owner of a Peruvian restaurant called Mistura in Oakland, KTVU reported
“He’s always really happy, really friendly,” Peter Gerritz told the news outlet. “He cares about his friends. This is just horrible. The last time I saw Daniel, he was having lunch at his wonderful restaurant. This is just really devastating news.“
The incident is under investigation as suspects have not been identified, and parking lot patrol at the stadium has been increased, KTTV reported.
McClatchy News reached out to police for information on the incident but has not received a response.
“We are aware and saddened by the incident. Our thoughts are with Mr. Luna’s friends and family during this difficult time. We are working with law enforcement officials in their investigation,” a spokesperson for the SoFi Stadium said in a statement.
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 1:04 PM.
