Jun 20, 2008 8:56 pm US/Pacific
Beating Of Gay Sac Man Appears To Be Hate Crime
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Marquis Bryant says he was just leaving a nightclub when four men beat him so badly he had to be hospitalized.
A bruised head and swollen eye didn't stop 20-year-old Marquis from speaking publicly about the attack. After what happened, he says he's afraid of more attacks, but he's not afraid of who he is.
"I've been called names while I was out, but never like this," said Bryant.
Bryant says the attackers started yelling offensive remarks.
"I was being called a 'fag', a 'faggott.' The next thing I know I'm hitting the ground," said Bryant.
He was walking near the corner of 20th St. and J St. when he put on head phones and starting listening to music. Suddenly, the suspects jumped on him and knocked him to the ground, he said.
"We don't tolerate crimes like this," said Sgt. Matt Young, Sacramento Police Department.
Police believe the 20-year-old may have been targeted because the bag he was carrying may have looked to his alleged attackers like a woman's purse.
"It's a huge concern that within our own community, our own area, this kind of attack has taken place," said Lester Neblett, Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center.
Neblett sent a mass e-mailing notifying members of the gay and lesbian communities of what happened. In it, he warned citizens to be careful, to not go out alone and be very cautious.
"There are always going to be people out there who just don't agree with the way other people live," said Neblett.
Police say the only description of the suspects is that they are in their 20s. They also say they have a witness.
Police say each of the suspects is facing a hate crime charge.
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