New York police seek man after homophobic attack on subway
Three victims were injured onboard an underground E train carriage on 31 July.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Pexels
Police in New York are searching for a man who carried out a suspected homophobic attack against two men and then a witness in July.
The incident took place on Saturday 31 July onboard the underground E train heading to the borough of Queens when the man approached the two 19-year-old men and made anti-gay remarks before physically assaulting the pair.
He also punched a 32-year-old woman who tried to intervene before fleeing on foot, according to reports.
On 7/31/21, at 3:30 AM, on an “E” Train, a male made anti-gay statements to two men,19, punched one multiple times in the face and then punched the other in his face. At Queens Plaza, the victims left, and a female, trying to help, was also punched in the face.
☎️1-800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/WrNbuGqHQD— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) August 9, 2021
Tweeting footage of the man police are interested in the NYPD Hate Crimes unit said the suspect made “anti-gay statements” before punching one man “multiple times”.
They say the suspect punched the woman once the train reached the Queens Plaza station.
Please take a good look at this video of the male wanted in connection with this anti-gay hate crime, on 7/31/21, at 3:30 AM, on an “E” Train. If you have any info, please DM us or DM @NYPDTips or call them at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). https://t.co/v5SSCSuSxV pic.twitter.com/OpMxVPfDOc
— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) August 9, 2021
The New York Post reports that all three victims refused medical attention but suffered some pain and swelling to their faces.
NYPD lists there being 37 complaints regarding hate crime motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity in 2020 and 25 arrests. The force’s latest crime statistics report found that LGBTQ hate crime in the city has increased 188% from 1 January to 31 May this year, compared to last year, as reported by CNN.
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