Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
One Victim Describes Anti-Gay Attacks, 9th Suspect Arrested
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 12, 2010
Modified Oct 12, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 12, 2010
Modified Oct 12, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As the ninth and final suspect in the brutal anti-gay attacks in the Bronx was arrested, one of the victims spoke to WABC 7 about the assault. The 17-year-old victim, who remained with his back to the camera, told reporter Carolina Leid that he was a member of the Latin King Goonies and his fellow gang members targeted him after they found out he had a sexual encounter with a 30-year-old man, "They said you a f----t or something? What's wrong with you? You crazy or something?"
The victim was beaten and sodomized (the gang claimed he broke a rule), "They put me in the middle of the chair. They asked me 'are you gay?' I was like 'nah.' They was like 'you did this?' I said 'yea.' 'You did this with the gay guy?' I was like 'yea.' That's when they started hitting me. Like beating me up. I was there for like an hour." (Another 17-year-old and the 30-year-old were also beaten and sodomized.) He also said he regretted getting in the gang and, when asked what he would do now, he replied, "Stay in school. Stay in school. Do my stuff. Stay off the street." Here's video:
Eight of the suspects had been in custody, while Ruddy Vargas-Perez, 22, remained at large until yesterday. Vargas-Perez had claimed he would turn himself in twice, but police ended up apprehending him in the Bronx after receiving a tip. His lawyer said, "He was just as outraged as everyone else to hear about these allegations. He’s a young man with a family who works, and he’s never been in any trouble before."
Tagged
1910 Osborne Place
anti gay attack
assault
bronx
gay attack
hate crime
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
All of Staten Island and the Bronx will be eligible for seats.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .