Early morning assault on gay couple 6/1 may be 3rd hate crime in three weeks
Submitted By info@sacstonewall.org

A gay male couple was assaulted after attempting to intervene in a fight near their residence at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday, June 1, near the intersection of E and 28th streets.

The two victims, one of whom was dressed in drag, were returning to their home when they observed a man shouting and threatening to stab and beat up another man. When they called out to the alleged perpetrator to “calm down,” he turned on them, chasing them and yelling gay slurs. He broke off a 3-foot length of fence picket and struck the victim who was in drag, then picked up a metal chair and threw it at the victim. Acting in self-defense, the victim picked up the chair and struck the alleged perpetrator before fleeting to the safety of his home.

Sacramento Police officers responded to the scene and arrested the alleged perpetrator, who has not yet been arraigned.

The incident appears to be the third anti-LGBT hate crime in Sacramento in less than three weeks. On May 15, a gay man and his straight cousin were attacked by a group of man at a gas station near Richards Boulevard. Three men were charged with robbery and assault with a hate crimes enhancement, and police are seeking a fourth suspect who was caught on surveillance video.

On May 27, two homeless transgender men were attacked by an assailant identified by police as a “skinhead.” The assailant was arrested after one of the victims stabbed him in the leg and charged with robbery, battery against a peace officer and interfering with one’s civil rights.

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Sacramento, Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center and Rainbow Chamber of Commerce urge members of our community to continue to remain alert, mindful of their surroundings and aware of others’ behavior.