Store employee assaulted with a skateboard for ‘not being white,’ victim sent to the hospital

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — An employee at a local business was sent to the hospital Wednesday morning after a man allegedly struck her in the head with a skateboard. Police say the attack may have been racially motivated.

Shortly before 8 a.m., officers with the Ogden Police Department were dispatched to a local business where they found Richard Eldonn Garcia, 36, running away from the scene. Officers chased Garcia who complied with commands to stop.

According to charging documents, Garcia had been asked to leave by an employee but would not comply. Another employee tried removing him from the store when Garcia allegedly struck her in the head with a skateboard.

Police say another victim was assaulted while attempting to intervene in the first assault. The second victim reported being punched in the face twice by Garcia.

While detained, Garcia is reported to have made a comment admitting that he assaulted the victim “because she was not white,” court documents say.

Officers say the first victim was transported to the hospital due to active bleeding from a laceration on the back of her head.

During his arrest, police say Garcia threatened to kill officers involved in his arrest.

Garcia was arrested and booked into the Weber County Jail on charges of aggravated assault, trespassing, and assault on a peace officer.