Queens Man Arrested After Anti-Gay Assault in Williamsburg

WILLIAMSBURG – Police have arrested a Queens man after an anti-gay assault of two men in Williamsburg last weekend.

Brandon McNamara, 25, of Middle Village, surrendered himself to the NYPD at the 7th Precinct in the Lower East Side, said police.

McNamara, who doesn’t have a criminal record, was arrested and charged with 2 counts each of hate crime assault, assault, aggravated harassment and harassment.

The attack occurred near the intersection of Union and Metropolitan Avenues, just before 1:00 am on Sunday, September 23. The scene of the hateful, homophobic attack was between popular Williamsburg gay bars Macri Park and The Metropolitan.

According to police, McNamara approached two men, ages 29 and 34, outside 540 Metropolitan Avenue and shouted a homophobic slur at them before assaulting them both.

The suspect punched the 34-year old victim in the face, knocking him unconscious, before slamming the 29-year old into a tree, knocking him out as well, police said. The 34-year old was taken to Bellvue Hospital with a fractured shoulder, while the 29-year old was treated at Woodhull for a broken finger.

Local City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso had tweeted about the attack, saying he was “disgusted” by the assault and that “hate has no place in NYC.”