July 7, 2022
Watch: Hammer-Waving Suspect Hurls Slurs, Threats at Gay Couple in NYC
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
A man hurling anti-gay epithets harassed and menaced a gay couple in Manhattan before fleeing into Central Park. The NYPD has released video of the incident in hopes that the public can help apprehend the suspect.
"The incident happened on June 25th," Shore News Network reported, adding that "two gay males, ages 52 and 57 were walking along 5th Avenue near East 63rd Street in Manhattan when they were approached by an unknown individual waving a hammer."
The suspect screamed "Fuck you" and hurled an anti-gay slur before running off, the report detailed.
Local news outlet 1010 Wins shared the Twitter post that the NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force put out seeking the public's help in identifying and apprehending the suspect. The tweet contains video footage of the suspect, who can clearly be seen carrying the hammer.
"WANTED for Menacing in the vicinity of 5 Ave and East 63 Street," the post reads, detailing that "on 6/25/22 @ 2:30 AM an unknown individual approached two males at the location and proceeded to menace the individuals with a hammer while making anti-Gay statements."
The post asks anyone with information to "Call 1-800-577-TIPS".
Reports said that the men were not physically harmed in the encounter.
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.
