December 23, 2020
Watch: Suspect Sought in Anti-LGBTQ Assault on Manhattan Bus
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has told state police to help investigate an incident of anti-LGBTQ violence reportedly perpetrated by the rider of a Manhattan bus, reports the New York Daily News.
The assault took place Nov. 22, news accounts report, when a 19-year-old man was approached by a stranger who announced, "I don't like people like you," and added, "I hate gay people."
The man followed the teenager when got off the bus and "punched him in the head," the Daily News reported, before getting back on board and departing with the bus.
Local news source 1010 Wins reported that the teenager suffered bruising, but declined medical treatment.
denouncing the "violent" attack as "repugnant," Gov. Cuomo announced that he was "directing the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately offer assistance" to the NYPD in its investigation of the assault.
"Make no mistake," Cuomo said, "we do not tolerate bias attacks in the Empire State, and we will always defend New Yorkers who are targeted for being who they are."
The assailant had boarded the bus in Chelsea, reports said.
1010 Wins posted video from Crimestoppers of a man reported to be the suspect in the attack. Watch the video below.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
