Suspect arrested in Polk Gulch killing of Australian tourist

A suspect has been arrested in the killing of a 33-year-old Australian tourist who was beaten to death just outside a hotel in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch neighborhood, authorities said Saturday.

No further information was immediately available on the suspect who was arrested.

Matthew Bate, from the Northern Territory of Australia, was found severely injured early Friday at about 2:15 a.m., just outside the Da Vinci Villa hotel at 2550 Van Ness Ave., between Union and Filbert streets, said Officer Giselle Talkoff, a spokeswoman with the San Francisco Police Department.

San Francisco Police say of man was killed early Friday morning when a verbal altercation turned physical outside the Da Vinci Villa hotel at 2550 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco Police say of man was killed early Friday morning when a verbal altercation turned physical outside the Da Vinci Villa hotel at 2550 Van Ness Ave. Photo: Sarah Ravani / The Chronicle / / Photo: Sarah Ravani / The Chronicle / / Image 1 of / 43 Caption Close Suspect arrested in Polk Gulch killing of Australian tourist 1 / 43 Back to Gallery

He died shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital, Talkoff added.

Talkoff said Bate had gotten into a verbal altercation with more than one person that turned physical.

It did not appear that any weapons were used in the fight, Talkoff said.

Two men were detained shortly after the altercation, but it’s unclear if either of them was arrested in connection with the fatal beating.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death and said the consulate is assisting Bate’s family.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani