Man allegedly assaults and robs deaf person in Salt Lake City gas station

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Salt Lake City man is behind bars after allegedly punching a deaf person in the face and stealing his beer Sunday.

Demond Lamont Parsons, 31, was arrested and booked on multiple assault charges as well as robbery and public intoxication.

According to charging documents, police received reports of a fight happening at a gas station. Upon arrival, they met the victim, a deaf man, who went to the gas station to buy two beers.

While walking out, Parsons allegedly confronted the man. When he did not respond, witnesses say Parsons punched him in the face and multiple times in the shoulder. The man’s interpreter told officers he tried to break up the fight but was also punched in the shoulder multiple times.

Police say they found Parsons “running in the street” away from the scene. However, he was unable to keep his balance and appeared “very sweaty” and out of breath.

Court documents say Parsons told officers he took the beer because the victim was “faking being deaf” and wouldn’t talk to him. He also admitted to police that he punched two others because they were helping the person who was deaf.

Parsons is facing a felony charge for robbery, two assault charges, and public intoxication. He is currently being held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.