Phoenix Police Looking for Suspect in Potential Anti-LGBTQ Hate Crime

If you recognize the man in the video footage, you could get $1,000.

May 24, 2018

Phoenix Police Department

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The Phoenix Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who allegedly assaulted two men after spewing anti-LGBTQ slurs.

The incident took place outside 17 Monroe Street, the building next door to Cornish Pasty's downtown location, at around 1:05 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, April 21.

Police say that the suspect had approached two men sitting outside the building, and, after briefly engaging them in conversation, began using anti-LGBTQ slurs. A police spokesman declined to provide specifics, directing Phoenix New Times to file a public records request for the police report.

That led to a heated argument, in which the suspect continued to use derogatory language. During the dispute, he threw one of the men to the ground and kicked him repeatedly, according to police. When the other man tried to intervene, he got punched in the face.

The suspect fled the scene, and is currently wanted on charges of aggravated assault. He's described as a white male with a tall, heavy build who was wearing a blue-and-white checked shirt, grey shorts, and sandals.

On Thursday, the Phoenix Police Department released surveillance footage that shows the the suspect walking around and talking on his cellphone. The video doesn't show the alleged assault.

The incident is being investigated by Phoenix Police Department's bias crime unit, Sergeant Vince Lewis said. Once the suspect is in custody, it will be up to prosecutors to determine whether to treat the assault as a hate crime.
If you recognize the man in the video footage, you could get $1,000. Phoenix Police are asking anyone with information to call 480-WITNESS.

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Antonia Noori Farzan is a staff writer at New Times and an honors graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Before moving to Arizona, she worked for the New Times Broward-Palm Beach.

Contact: Antonia Noori Farzan