Man Arrested And Charged With Hate Crime In Transgender Attack; Police Search For Second Suspect

Police say one man has been arrested in connection to an attack on a transgender person which took place May 13 in Park Slope during broad daylight.

29-year-old Derrick Thomas of Canarsie was arrested on Friday, July 1 at approximately 11:10am, according to a police spokesperson. His arrest took place in Park Slope at the corner of 8th Avenue and 9th Street, one block away from the attack.

Thomas was charged with a hate crime/assault in the third degree with intent to cause injury.

Cops say the 32-year old transgender person was walking north on 7th Avenue near 8th Street at approximately 11:10am on May 13, when the victim made eye contact with a group of five men walking in the opposite direction.

One of the suspects shouted, “What are you looking at, you white faggot?” and the victim was then punched repeatedly in the head and face, according to the police.

Soon after the attack, our community of readers expressed concern and frustration as to why the incident had not been immediately labeled as a bias crime.

Days after the incident, a statement was released by Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Floyd Rumohr, Executive Director of Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Pride, Inc. who condemned the crime:

“Our community is both outraged and deeply saddened to see a hate-fueled anti-LGBTQ attack in our own backyard, and our hearts go out to the individual who was so brutally attacked in broad daylight on 7th Avenue and 9th Street in Park Slope last Friday. All New Yorkers, of all gender-identities, have the right to express themselves and we refuse to let such horrific intolerance occur on our streets.”

Cops say they are searching for a second suspect involved in the incident.