Broward County Florida Police Ask For Public’s Help In Locating Three Suspects In Bias-Motivated Attack On 24 Year Gay Man

Police in Florida are asking the public to help in locating three suspects in the December 30th bias-motivated, unprovoked attack on a 24 year old openly gay man in Tamarac, the Broward County Sheriff’s Department releasing a surveillance video showing on the suspects leaving a drugstore shortly before the incident, according to a report by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Mark Samnath said three men filmed themselves punching him in the face after they called him “faggot” and “gay boy.” Samnath is convinced his sexual orientation motivated the attackers. Under Florida law, that makes the attack a hate crime, the Sheriff's Office said. The classification elevates the crime from third-degree felony to second-degree felony battery, and conviction carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. “When they are caught, these assailants will face enhanced penalties for their crimes," Sheriff's Commander Rick Wierzbicki said in a statement. The day of the attack, Samnath had shopped at the Walgreens and walked across the street past Tamarac Commons Park, where the three men were. He said he smelled marijuana smoke coming from the park, but didn't confront the men about it. Without provocation, the men began calling him "faggot" and "gay boy," Samnath said. He continued to walk west on McNab Road and realized the men were following him. One was pointing a camera at Samnath, officials said. At the corner of Northwest 89th Avenue and Northwest 70th Street, two of the men attacked. They launched verbal slurs and threats, then punched Samnath in the face, as the third man appeared to record the attack with a professional-style Canon, the Sheriff's Office said. Afterward, Samnath's face was swollen, with deep cuts and bruises. He would not go to the hospital because he had no medical insurance, a Sheriff's Office report stated. The attackers appeared to be 19 to 20 years old, and about 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Sheriff's Detective Dave Lewis at 954-321-4200 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-8477.