A man who was found beaten and burned at a Greensboro hotel last weekend has died. The investigation is ongoing as to whether this will be classified as a hate crime.

46-year-old Stephen White died Saturday of injuries sustained in an assault at the Battleground Inn on November 9th.

A Greensboro City employee, Garry Joseph Gupton, had been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, but will now be charged with first degree murder.

The News and Journal of Greensboro reports Gupton and White met November 8th at a gay bar, and checked into the motel together later that night.

Greensboro Police captain Mike Richey said the incident did not appear to be a hate crime, but that an investigation is ongoing.

Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughan released a statement Saturday saying her thoughts were with White, his family and his longtime partner.

Vaughan says Greensboro prides itself on being inclusive and diverse.

The mayor also noted White's career in the army and as a security contractor in Iraq.


 

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