ASTORIA — Police have released surveillance photos of three suspects in the assault of a transgender woman and her friend last week at a popular local diner, which authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.
A 30-year-old transgender woman and her friend, a 32-year-old man, were hit with a plate at 5 a.m. on Jan. 8 inside the Neptune Diner at 31-05 Astoria Boulevard, according to police.
The attack unfolded when two women made derogatory statements towards the transgender woman, according to the commanding officer of the 114th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney.
Both victims where treated at Mount Sinai Queens. The male friend needed stitches, police said.
Photos of the two women as well as the man they were with, were taken from surveillance video and released by police.
The incident is being investigated by the Hate Crimes Task Force.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
