The New York Police Department has released photos and video of eight suspects wanted for assaulting a gay couple near Madison Square Garden in broad daylight during a New York Knicks game Sunday.
Nick Porto, 27, and his partner, Kevin Atkins, 22, say they were walking arm-in-arm down Eighth Avenue around 5 p.m. on Sunday when a group of seven men, all in their mid 20s and wearing Knicks jerseys, began shouting antigay slurs at the couple.
"They called us faggots," Porto, a clothing designer, told DNA Info. "They made fun of my jeans -- I made the jeans myself, for that day."
When Porto turned around to ask the men why they were shouting at the couple, the group knocked both men to the ground and allegedly began kicking and punching them. Porto suffered a broken nose and severe headaches, and Atkins was treated for a broken arm. Atkins told DNA Info that his bag, which contained an iPad and cell phone, was also destroyed during the attack.
Police have not yet decided whether to charge the assault as a hate crime, and initially were skeptical about the chances of finding the suspects, since the assault took place in broad daylight during a Knicks game against the Indiana Pacers, and many bystanders were wearing Knicks jerseys.
But today the NYPD released the video below, offering clear images of all eight suspects. Watch the video below.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging on to the Crime Stoppers website at NYPDCrimeStoppers or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
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