CBS2 Exclusive: Victim In Midtown Bias Attack Speaks Out

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A victim was speaking out late Friday as police searched for the suspect in a bias attack at a Midtown subway station.

The suspect attacked the victim near the West 50th Street and Broadway subway station shortly before 7 p.m. on Sept. 23, police said.

The victim spoke exclusively to CBS2's Alice Gainer about the ordeal.

"As I go through the turnstile, I felt like a push or a kick so I then turn around," said the 37-year-old victim, who did not want his face shown on camera.

The suspect, seen on surveillance video wearing red sneakers, punched and kicked the victim several times in the face while shouting anti-gay slurs, police said.

"He spit at me, called me more Spanish slur for being gay," said the victim. "I walked forward, away from him but he kept coming and next thing I know, he just punched me."

The victim said the man eventually walked away, but when he tried to snap a cellphone picture of the suspect's face, he returned.

"I was like, 'Help! help!' and no one really helped me," the victim said. "(Gainer: And how do you feel about that?) I guess it's New York City, no one really wants to get involved."

Eventually the two wrestled to the ground and someone did pull them apart, Gainer reported.

The victim said he had no interaction with the man and can't understand why he was targeted.

Commuters at the subway station on Friday night had mixed reaction to news of the assault.

"This is something very ironic because the gay community being accepted a lot more now," said Sherry Trujillo.

"Wow. You never expect this. So it's surprising. He kicked the guy?" said Jose Gonzalez.

"I think this is very common. They're always getting bullied," said Vandana Kumar.

Despite what happened, the victim said he is not going to let this affect his commute or the way he lives his life, Gainer reported.

"I still take the 1. I still get on and off at the same subway, it's not gonna change me," he said.

But he said he will be more aware of his surroundings from now on, especially with his attacker still on the loose.

The suspect is described by police as male Hispanic man, 30-40 years old, approximately 5'6" - 5'9"tall, with long dark hair, wearing a black T-shirt, black shorts and red sneakers.

Police have released a sketch and surveillance video of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.