New York: Two arrests follow homophobic attack
A brutal attack on a pair of gay men in New York City has led to two arrests, but police say they are still searching for three more suspects.
WABC reports that on Friday the two men tried to enter an after-hours billiards club near 33rd Street Station in Manhattan.
They were refused entry, and were then approached by a group of men who shouted anti-gay slurs at them.
According to police, the group then beat the two men, leaving them injured. One of the victims had to receive eye surgery due to the damage inflicted on him.
Two 21-year-old men, Asllan Berisha and Brian Ramirez, were arrested in connection with the attack. They have been charged with gang assault and assault as a hate crime. Police say they are still looking for three more suspects who escaped on foot.
Police are also looking for four men who harassed and attacked two gay man last Sunday.
The incident occurred on the evening of 5 May at around 5pm on Eighth Avenue near 34th street
Police say the victims, Kevin Atkins, 22, and Nick Porto 28, were verbally harassed and stated they were called “faggots”.
Mr Porto told DNAInfo he was out walking arm-in-arm with his partner when they were knocked to the ground by a group of men in their 20s wearing New York Knicks Jerseys.
