Video: Seattle Police searching for Belltown beating suspect

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SEATTLE - A University of Washington senior resident physician suffered life-threatening injuries during a fight in Belltown early Sunday and Seattle Police are asking the public to help find the man who assaulted him.

Peter Choi, 36, has treated patients at Harborview Medical Center and other local hospitals, came out of a coma Tuesday night and underwent sugery; currently he is serious condition in the intensive care unit. Now his family and friends are asking the public for help.

Police say Choi was walking around Third Avenue and Cedar in Belltown with four friends from the Umi Sake House when they came across two men.

According to witnesses, they made a racial comment toward the whole group. Choi got upset and got into a yelling argument.

According to police, the attacker punched Choi, causing him to fall and strike his head against the sidewalk.

Police say the assailant and several witnesses ran away before officers drove up.

"He's the best brother and he would do anything for me and his friends," said his sister Amy who says she got a phone call early Sunday morning. "They called my parents and he needs to go right to surgery. It was a life-threatening injury."

Doctors removed part of Choi's skull to relieve the pressure from the swelling of his brain.

While they wait to see if there is any permanent injury, his younger sister is asking witnesses to come forward.

"We just really want to identify the assailant and have them brought to justice," she said.

"Peter is such an incredible individual. For something to happen to him, a tragic incident like this, is just completely out of the blue," said David Eraker, friend.

Seattle Police say the comment that may have started the fight does not make it a hate crime automatically, but it is felony assault.

The description of the suspects is very vague.

The main assailant is described as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, 22 to 29 years old; he was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

The second man, a possible witness, is a white male who was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Police are looking for other witnesses and any information.