The suspects have been charged with committing a hate crime.
Shay EdwardsSPRINGFIELD – Police charged 5 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 12 to 19, with committing a hate crime following the beating of an openly gay man on Walnut Street early Tuesday.
The victim, who suffered head trauma and other injuries, was treated at Baystate Medical Center and released.
Sgt. John M. Delaney said the incident occurred shortly after 3 a.m. as the 30-year-old victim walked down Walnut Street.
The victim told police that a group of youths inside Barrow’s Park yelled and asked him to come inside the park, Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said.
The victim kept walking and told police he was then attacked by the suspects who knocked him to the ground, kicked him in the head and abdomen and punched him in the face with closed fists, Delaney said.
During the beating, the victim’s MP3 player was stolen, Delaney said.
“During the beating, the females encouraged the males to beat up the victim,” Delaney said. “All the participants yelled disparaging about the victims sexual orientation during the attack.”
After the beat, the victim called police from a home on Eastern Avenue.
A short time later, officers Luis Adames and Herman Little spotted the suspects in front of 600 State St., less than a quarter-mile from the attack. One of the suspects, a juvenile, had the MP3 player in his possession, Delaney said.
All nine suspects were detained and brought to Baystate’s emergency department where the victim positively identified all nine.
Investigators determined that the attack amounted to a hate crime, Delaney said.
The lone adult in the group, Shay Andre Edwards, 19, of 11 George St., and the 8 juveniles, were charged with unarmed robbery and civil rights violation with injury, Delaney said.