NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Police are searching for four males in a suspected anti-gay hate attack in Chelsea that left a 72-year-old man hospitalized with a broken jaw and other injuries.
The NYPD released images over the weekend of the four suspects they're searching for in the brutal assault at West 17th Street and Ninth Avenue on the night of Sept. 15.
The group hurled an anti-gay slur at the man around 10:15 p.m. and then beat him, police said.
"What are you doing around here, you f***ing f****t?” they asked him before the assault, according to the Daily News.
They not only punched and kicked him repeatedly but used various "items" to strike him on the head and body, according to cops.
They fled the area on foot and were last seen entering 420 West 19th St. at the Fulton Houses, police said.
The victim suffered a broken jaw and lacerations to his face and hands. He went to an area hospital by private means.
The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.