Second man arrested over horrific attack on gay rights champ

PinkNews logo on pink background with rainbow corners.

A second man has been arrested over a horrific attack on an elderly gay couple – that rendered one of them unable to walk.

Chris and George Zander, of Palm Springs, California, were attacked on November 1 while leaving a gay nightclub.

After leaving Hunters Nightclub a man shouted a homophobic slur at the pair, before approaching them with an accomplice and violently attacking them with a bottle.

71-year-old George Zander – who is the field manager for LGBT advocacy group Equality California – has been hospitalised after the brutal attack, and was required to undergo surgery.

After the attack Mr Zander was required surgery and was rendered unable to sit up or walk – though he continues to recover.

35-year-old Keith Terranova was arrested last month in connection with the attack – but a second man, Christopher James Carr, has been arrested this week.

Carr was arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime, elder abuse and battery, and was taken to Larry D Smith Correctional Facility on $500,000 bail. An arraignment has been set for December 3.

 

The Desert Sun notes: “Terranova is accused of attacking Chris Zander with a tire iron and Carr is suspected of attacking George Zander.

“George Zander required surgery for a double fracture to his hip. Chris Zander suffered a concussion and needed staples in the back of his head.”

Terranova last month pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon, hate crime and elder abuse.