Victim Of Possible Bias Attack In Midtown Speaks Out
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As police continue to search for four men wanted in connection with an attack on two gay men in Midtown, one of the victims spoke out Tuesday.
Nick Porto spoke exclusively to CBS 2's John Slattery about the attack that police are calling a possible bias crime.
The incident happened Sunday evening on Eighth Avenue near 34th Street.
"We were walking down the street. I was called a f**got," Porto told Slattery. "It went from there."
Porto said he then asked the man, "Why did you say that?" He said the four men -- three wearing Knicks jerseys -- referred to his jeans and then pushed them to the ground, Slattery reported.
"After they pushed me to the ground, I stood up. They punched me in the face," Porto said. "...Broken nose, knocked the glasses off my face, so I couldn't see who was going on, what was going on."
Atkins sustained a hand injury in the attack. They were both treated at Bellevue Hospital and released.
Police released a surveillance image of one of the suspects sought in the attack. He is described as an Hispanic man in his 20s, about 6-foot with brown hair and a tattoo on the left forearm. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, white sneakers, a white Knicks jersey with the No. 7 and blue jeans.
"The four people that we are focusing on, three out of the four wore Knicks paraphernalia," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman on Tuesday.
"One of the first things we do in a case like this is look at the cameras," Kelly added.
Porto said there were people there who took video, and told Slattery, "I really hope some of the footage is found."
Person Of Interest Sought In Possible Bias Assault In Midtown
Investigators are also looking for three other Hispanic men, also in their 20s, police said.
"There is no word to describe the pain," Porto said. "The attack is on all of us. This crap has got to stop."
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
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