GRAMERCY — A man was attacked by a trio who hurled anti-gay slurs at him early Wednesday in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime, the NYPD said.
The 27-year-old man was walking with another man along First Avenue, near East 15th Street, about 3 a.m. when they got into an argument with three men who shouted homophobic slurs, police said.
The group then attacked the victim, leaving him with bruises on the side of his head, police said.
The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, police said.
Investigators released photos of the three suspects, all believed to be in their 30s, showing them walking down the street.
One man was wearing a dark V-neck sweater over a white collared shirt; another was wearing a V-neck shirt under a gray jacket with a light-colored hood; and the third had a beard and was wearing a black beanie hat, a blue checkered shirt and a brown jacket, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).