A gay couple was violently attacked in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood earlier this month, with one man struck in the head with a baseball bat, in what police are investigating as a potential hate crime.
The couple told authorities they were walking near 550 River Street around 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 13 when a group of men “began making anti-homosexual remarks towards them.”
A confrontation ensued, and “two… were seen swinging unidentifiable objects at the victims,” according to a police report reviewed by Boston.com, WCVB and CBS Boston.
Officers discovered one victim lying in a parking lot, bleeding from the back of his head. He received treatment at the scene and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation, according to CBS Boston, NBC Boston and WCVB. His current condition has not been disclosed.
Boston police said the department’s Civil Rights Unit is leading the investigation. No arrests had been announced as of Monday, per NBC Boston, CBS Boston and WHDH.
“We’re just generally concerned about the hostile political moment that we’re in right now and the increased fear that many people in our community are experiencing,” Josh Rovenger, legal director at GLAD Law, told NBC Boston.
Anyone with information can contact Boston detectives; anonymous tips can be shared via Boston Police CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting TIP to CRIME (27463).
