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Police: Suspect Made Anti-Gay Statements In Unprovoked Attack Caught On Video At Midtown CVS

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A recent assault at a Manhattan CVS was caught on camera.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating after the suspect also allegedly made anti-gay slurs, CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reported Wednesday.

The incident happened on Saturday evening as the victim was walking into the CVS at the corner of West 34th Street and Eighth Avenue. The encounter -- another apparent hate crime -- has a lot of people frustrated.

Unprovoked attack Midtown CVS
Police are searching for a suspect caught on video randomly punching a man inside a CVS in Midtown. (Credit: NYPD)

Surveillance video shows the suspect take a big swing and punch a 24-year-old man in the head so forcefully, he fell to the ground.

Police said the suspect, whose mask was down, then made anti-gay remarks.

"Horrified. I have friends with the LGBTQ community, as am I. I'm very supportive and that kind of hits close to home," David Calvache said.

Calvache works a few blocks from the CVS, near Penn Station.

"I think around in this part of the city people have to take precautions to kind of be safe," Calvache said. "I see police presence in and around, obviously with Penn Station and the Garden and stuff."

"Since COVID, last two years is really, really bad and I walk really fast, especially in this area, Penn Station, Herald Square area. So many homeless or drug addicts around, so it's definitely not safe," added Jina Aguilar, who also works nearby.

After the attack, video shows the suspect walking down the street and he appears to yell and even lunges at someone.

The NYPD is still looking for him.

"I think its terrible. I wasn't there to see if there was a comment or not, but, you know, it's very upsetting to see hate crimes all over the city right now," one man said.

That sentiment was echoed by others who said there should be no room for hate in this city.

"There's no reason. It's not right. It has to be stopped," Aguilar said.

Cathy Marino-Thomas, an LGBTQI advocate, says inequality remains a problem.

"It's New York City, and lots of people think that we don't have those problems here, but the truth of the matter is hate is everywhere. And it's an unfortunate situation that we're still dealing with homophobia in the city," Marino-Thomas said.

Police said the victim refused medical attention at the scene.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

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