Police: 2nd suspect arrested in connection to ‘curb stomped’ victim caught on video in St. George

Composite image | St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The second of three men was arrested Friday for the alleged attack of a man who said he was “curb stomped,” police say.

File photo of St. George Regional Hospital as seen on March 13, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

On Friday, 20-year-old Riggins Duke Smith was arrested in connection with the alleged attack that took place shortly after 4 a.m. on Oct. 24, in the area of 1002 N. 1900 E., just north of Red Hills Parkway involving a man who was reportedly jumped by three suspects during an altercation.

The man was later found bleeding profusely from a head wound, as well as from a large “hole” on the side of his nose just below the eye socket. He was then transported to St. George Regional Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which were extensive, police say, and included a severe concussion and a broken nose.

The first suspect arrested, 22-year-old Riley Trey Ballard of St. George, was booked into jail last week, and he remains in custody without bail.

According to the report concerning the October incident, the man reported he was attacked by three men who “curb stomped” him, adding that the men stomped his head into the concrete near the road multiple times. While he did not know the names of the three suspects, the investigation into the incident has led to the arrest of two men.

Authorities say hours after the incident took place, they were contacted by a witness who said the incident was captured on his home surveillance system that showed a physical altercation between the victim and three other men. Officers identified Ballard as one of the suspects allegedly involved in the incident after comparing the image captured in the video to an earlier booking photo taken of the suspect.

In the meantime, an anonymous witness reportedly came forward and identified Smith as the second suspect involved. Officers then reviewed the surveillance footage, which showed one of the suspects, later identified as Smith, kicking the man in the back of the head six times, and then punching the man in the face nine times.

Following the attack, the man was seen lying on the ground seemingly unconscious for some 10 seconds before getting up and stumbling away, the report states.

The investigation also revealed that Smith had sustained a split lip that required stitches and reportedly occurred when he was punched in the face by the target of the alleged attack.

2020 stock image of Purgatory Correctional Facility, Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 20, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

On Friday, officers responded to Smith’s residence and transported the suspect to the St. George Police Department for an interview, which is when the suspect allegedly told officers he was planning on turning himself in to authorities following the incident.

Police say when asked about the injury to his lip, Smith confirmed that he went to the hospital later that morning and received stitches, adding he had been knocked unconscious when the man struck him in the face – something that had never happened to him before. He also said it had made him very angry when it happened.

Smith also reportedly said he had not been hiding from the police; rather, he was expecting authorities to speak to him about the incident. He did not provide any information on the third suspect involved, adding that he was not from St. George and did not know many people in the area yet, the report states.

Officers also noticed that Smith, who had long hair in the video footage, had cut his hair. When asked, the suspect said he cut it shortly after the night when the altercation took place, police say.

Smith was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility and was booked into jail facing one second-degree felony count of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Ed. Note: A new Utah law generally prohibits the release of arrest booking photos until after a conviction is obtained.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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