A man has been hospitalised after he was attacked with a hammer and thrown onto the tracks of the New York City subway in a suspected anti-gay hate crime attack.
The NYPD have opened a hate crime probe after the incident at a subway station in the Bronx in the early hours of Friday.
Suspect ‘shouted f****t’ before hitting man with hammer
According to police, a 21-year-old man was accosted by a suspect who shouted “f****t” at him, before pulling out a hammer and striking his torso.
The suspect then threw the victim onto the subway tracks, before fleeing.
The victim, who managed to climb off the tracks before the next train arrived, was hospitalised with head injuries. He is in stable condition.
Police are investigating the incident, which occurred at the D-train platform of Tremont Avenue subway station at 1am on Friday, as a suspected hate crime.
New York governor opens hate crime investigation
Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo said he has ordered the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the investigation.
He said in a statement: “I am absolutely sickened by the vicious anti-LGBTQ assault on a Bronx subway platform early this morning. This horrific and ugly crime is repugnant to our values as New Yorkers, and we have zero tolerance for such vile acts of hate.
“I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD in its investigation into this brutal attack to ensure the coward responsible is brought to justice.
“While those fueled by hate try to spread fear and intolerance in our communities, New York will continue to be a beacon of hope and acceptance for all.
“When you attack one New Yorker, you attack all New Yorkers, and we want the LGBTQ community to know we will always have their backs.”
According to ABC7, the suspect is described as “a black male in his 30s with braided hair, approximately 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, wearing gray sweatpants and a black coat.”
Police have appealed for anyone with information regarding the incident to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.