Police search for suspects in assault case: Detectives are classifying incident as a hate crime

Plano police are searching for two men they believe are responsible for an assault on the sidewalk outside of the Plano Sports Authority on May 27.

Officer David Tilley said the crime is unique because detectives are classifying it as a hate crime, since derogatory comments regarding the sexual orientation of two women accompanying the victim were made before the attack. Tilley believes the assault is the first sexually-oriented hate crime committed in the city.

"We are dealing with a hate crime and that is a pretty serious deal," Tilley said. "We believe this is a very isolated case and don't believe this is an epidemic. Regardless of the hate crime issue, the fact that we had two individuals out there walking around on our streets, one of them with a gun, committing violent crimes is concerning."

The attack occurred at 2 p.m. in the 600 block of Seabrook Drive, just west of Clark Stadium. The 18-year-old victim and his two female companions, who were holding hands, were walking when the two suspects made derogatory comments. When the victim attempted to stand up for his friends, he was attacked. Tilley said the victim was punched and kicked before eventually being beaten with a handgun by one of the suspects.

Tilley said he had no idea of the sexual orientation of the two women, but that would not prevent the department from classifying the incident as a hate crime.

"We are considering this a hate crime because of what we feel the motivation was," he said. "We feel this is a hate crime because of the sexually-oriented comments made to the young females. What will be filed once we locate these guys is aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is a second-degree felony. We will present the information of why we believe this is a hate crime, and if the judge and/or jury believe it was a hate crime, the second-degree felony will be enhanced to a first-degree felony."

After the attack, the victim was transported to Medical Center of Plano where he was treated for his injuries and later released. The two women were unharmed.

Both suspects are black males, with one standing between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 and weighing about 170 pounds. He has a medium build and short black hair. The second suspect is 6-foot to 6-foot-2 and weighs 180 to 200 pounds. Tilley said the second suspect has brown dreadlocks with orange highlights, as well as a tattoo on his left forearm.

Anyone with information on the attack should call the Plano Police at 972-941-2148, or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 877-373-8477. Crime Stoppers has issued a $5,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest in this case.

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

 Plano Apartments
 Plano Attorneys
 Plano Auto Dealers
 Plano Auto Parts
 Plano Auto Repair
 Plano Beauty Salons
 Plano Car Rental
 Plano Dentists
 Plano Doctors
 Plano Flowers
 Plano Hotels
 Plano Insurance
 Plano Loans
 Plano Mortgages
 Plano Movers
 Plano Pizza
 Plano Realtors
 Plano Restaurants
 Plano Storage
 Plano Tax Preparation
 Plano Travel
 Featured
 More...