Police: Anti-LGBTQ slurs result in aggravated assault incident

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Phoenix Police are looking for a man who they say assaulted two men last month that left one man seriously hurt.

The incident, police say, happened at around 1:05 a.m. on April 21, in the area of 17 W. Monroe Street. The suspect approached two men who were sitting, and after a short conversation, began using anti-LGBTQ slurs. A heated verbal exchange followed where the suspect called the victims derogatory slurs multiple times. During the argument, the suspect threw one victim to the ground, and repeated kicked him. When the second victim tried to stop the assault, the suspect punched him in the face, and then fled the scene. The first victim reportedly suffered serious physical injuries as a result.

At the time of the incident, the men were waiting for an Uber. Meanwhile, people in Downtown Phoenix are shocked by the news, saying an attack like this should not be tolerated.

"For whatever reason: race, age, religion, sexual preference, whatever, I just think it's really horrible and just unbelievable," said one person.

Police describe the suspect as a tall white man with a heavier build, and was wearing a blue and white checkered button down short sleeve shirt, gray shorts, and sandals at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information should call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS to leave an anonymous tip. Spanish speakers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Testigo Silencioso at 480-TESTIGO.

Si tiene alguna información sobre este caso, llame a la línea de Testigo Silencioso (480-TESTIGO, 480-837-8446).