Say Group Hurled Slurs, Assaulted Man
Detectives continue to seek four individuals who brutally beat a 28-year-old man on a Bushwick street last week in an assault being investigated as a hate crime, police reported.
Prior to the attack, law enforcement sources said, the perpetrators shouted homophobic slurs at the victim, who was hospitalized in critical condition.
This is the second such bias attack to occur in Bushwick in the last five weeks. As previously reported, police cuffed three Brooklyn men who shouted antigay slurs at, then shot a man dressed as a woman on Sept. 27.
Regarding the most recent assault, police said the trouble began at about 11:20 p.m. last Sunday night, Oct. 12, in front of a location on Bushwick Avenue near Weirfield Street.
Authorities said the four suspects-all of whom were described as black males- approached the 28-year-old man from behind and made the offensive statements.
Seconds later, it was reported, the group began punching and kicking the man about the body. Police said one of the suspects then picked up a nearby Plexiglass board and struck the victim in the head, causing a serious wound.
The group reportedly fled from the scene in an unknown direction.
Officers from the 83rd Precinct and EMS units responded to the scene. Paramedics brought the victim to Elmhurst Hospital Center.
Last Wednesday, Oct. 15, the NYPD released surveillance video of two of the suspects as they visited a nearby store the night of the attack.
Police said one of the alleged assailants wore a gray sleeveless sweatshirt with the word “Freedom” on the front along with a dark long-sleeve shirt, gray sweatpants, white sneakers and a ski cap.
The other individual had short hair and was observed wearing a blue Nike hooded sweatshirt with blue sweatpants.
The ongoing inquiry is being handled by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, law enforcement sources stated.
Anyone with information regarding the Oct. 12 attack or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-577-TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
