Will Police Sketches Help Find Killer of Gay Activist?

So far there have been no arrests in the murder of gay activist Lou Rispoli, who was beaten to death in Queens, N.Y., last October.

BY Diane Anderson-Minshall

January 30 2013 1:11 PM ET

Suspects in the Rispoli murder.

Police released sketches on last week of two men wanted for the murder of beloved 62-year-old gay activist Lou Rispoli, who was killed last October in Queens, N.Y. According to DNA Info, one suspect is white and in his 20s; the other Hispanic and in his 30s.

There is a $22,000 reward for information that leads to their arrest. The attack on Risoli occurred near 42nd Street and Queens Boulevard. DNA Info reports that "witnesses told Queens City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer at the time that they saw two men approach Rispoli, strike up a brief conversation, then hit him in the head with a blunt object. A third man was seen keeping watch."

Van Bramer was a close friend of Risoli and his partner of 32 years. At a candelight vigil for the victim, Van Bramer called Rispoli “pillar of the gay community in Queens.”

Anyone with info can contact Crime Stoppers via phone (800-577-TIPS); Web (NYPDCrimeStopppers.com); text (text to 274637, then enter TIP577).

For more information on Rispoli, read our earlier report here.