Police Arrest Man In SW OKC After Punch Turns Deadly

A metro man is behind bars, accused of landing a deadly blow during a heated confrontation over the weekend.

Police said the victim was punched once in the face on Saturday and died the next day.

Oklahoma City police released the victim’s name on Monday. Investigators believed 59-year-old Hemant Mistry was an employee of the motel where he came face-to-face with the suspect.

The confrontation between the victim and 41-year-old Richard Lewis started Saturday night. Police said Lewis overstayed his welcome at the Motel 6 near Interstate 40 and Meridian Avenue.

“He was asking the suspect to leave the property,” said Sgt. Dillon Quirk, Oklahoma City Police Department.

The conversation did not last long before turning violent. Police said Lewis punched Mistry in the face, knocking him unconscious in the parking lot of the motel.

“The victim was taken to an area hospital,” said Quirk. “Sadly, died as a result of injuries from that assault a day later.”

Police caught up with Lewis at a hotel not far from the Motel 6 the day after the assault and arrested him. At this time, Lewis does not face a murder charge.

“Was booked into the county jail on an assault complaint,” said Quirk. “But we’ll see how the ME rules this one.”

Police did not describe the extent of the victim’s injuries and motel management would not comment about the incident.

Lewis is being held in jail on a $100,000 bond. The Oklahoma County District Attorney will determine Lewis’ charged based on the medical examiner’s findings.