A baseball fan from Mexico City who was injured by a falling slab of concrete at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles claims that cops asked to know his immigration status before he was treated.
Luis Ricardo Aquino told KTLA 5 that he was in his seat during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees on Friday when he was hit in the back by a softball-sized chunk of concrete.
The concrete slab had fallen from the deck above, leaving Aquino with a fractured rib, he said, adding that he was eventually treated at the stadium but was surprised by the line of inquiry from police.
Aquino reports that first responders initially questioned him if he had permission to be in the United States, to which he replied, “Yes, I am on my visa.” He claimed that officials then stole his documents from him.
“I am angry because I felt discriminated against,” he stated, explaining why he refused additional medical care at the time.
“The paramedics treated me and checked my vital signs, but everything seemed fine,” he told the TV station. “They asked if I wanted to go to a hospital, but this is not my country, so I did not feel comfortable.”
The baseball fan stated that he eventually decided against filing a complaint in exchange for items and returned to his seat. Stadium officials presented him with a shirt, bracelets, and a Max Muncy bobblehead. Still, he claimed there was no apology or follow-up.
Following the event, stadium administrators placed a stretch of protective netting beneath the upper deck of stretch 10, according to the outlet. Aquino was sitting between home plate and first base.
Dodgers management told The Athletic that they had professionals and experts at Dodger Stadium to assess and clear the area for safety.
