Grand Jury Indicts Three More In Connection To Gang Anti-Gay Attacks In Bronx. Second Suspect In Shooting Murder Of Transgendered Woman Surrenders To New Jersey Police, New York Sets Up Anti-Gay Violence Task Force

A grand jury indicted three accused members of the Latin Goonies Gang Thursday for their alleged participation in the horrific gay bashing attack on two male teens, and two male adults in the Bronx earlier this month, reports the New York Daily News. 23 year old Elmer Cofresi, 17 year old Nelson Falu, and 22 year old Ruddy Vargas are charged with multiple hate crimes in connection to the anti-gay attacks, bringing the number to seven of those suspects charged. Earlier this week, prosecutors dropped all charges against four teens held in custody, citing a lack of evidence. All seven defendants are due back in court November 23rd.

Sunday, the second suspect in the shooting murder of 28 year old transgender woman Victoria Carmen White surrendered to police, reports the New Jersey Star Ledger, 23 year old Alrashim Chambers turning himself in without incident. He and 25 year old Marquise Foster have been charged with murder and weapons offenses in the slaying of White September 12th. The prosecutor’s bias crimes unit is investigating and both men are likely to face an additional charge of bias intimidation since authorities believe White’s murder was precipitated by a discovery of her sexual orientation “during the course of their interactions.” Both men are being held in custody.

Meanwhile, a Hate Crimes Task Force has been created, Kings County New York District Attorney Charles J. Hynes making the announcement that his office and the Task Force will put into place initiatives meant to protect members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, reports Empire State News. One of the programs – Project Reach Out – will provide resources and support to members of the community surviving violence. The Task Force is also creating a 24-hour hotline that hate crime victims can call, Hynes saying that “Often, biased crime victims are hesitant to come forward and report crimes against them. It is a scary and traumatic experience for them. They may not want to call 911 or walk into their local precinct. The new hotline can help those people.”