RIALTO >> Armando Barron, the man attacked with a baseball bat in what police say was a hate crime, died Thursday morning and police will be asking prosecutors to file murder charges against his alleged attacker, authorities said.

A 54-year-old father and grandfather, Barron died around 11:30 a.m., four days after he was beaten allegedly by Jeremiah Bell, 22, of Fontana.

“We will request from the DA (a) filing of murder charges against Bell,” said Rialto police Sgt. Paul Stella.

Bell pleaded innocent to attempted murder charges and special allegations Thursday in West Valley Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga, according to court records.

The court doubted Bell’s mental competence and suspended criminal proceedings. He will be evaluated by a psychiatrist and is scheduled to return to court on June 9, according to court records.

Barron’s family had set up a GoFundMe account for him prior to his death.

“Our father was a loving and noble person, who was tragically assaulted based on the color of his skin. He taught us to be loving and see beyond color,” states the crowdfunding website set up by Wendy Flores.

Police say Barron was walking along the 300 block of North Maple Avenue when Bell began striking him in the head with the bat. Bell reportedly fled before officers arrived.

After an investigation, Bell was found Monday in his Fontana apartment and taken into custody.

According to the funding page, Barron was on his way home from a nearby grocery store to watch a soccer match when the attack took place.

Bell did not know Barron, and it “appears he was targeting anyone who wasn’t black,” said Stella.

“Our only comfort at this time is that he is no longer in pain and that he will soon be in heaven to look over us and his grandchildren,” according to the crowdfunding site.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/armandobarron.

Staff Writer Greg Cappis contributed to this report.