Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Manhattan Gay Bashing Suspect's Lawyer Says Client Was "Wrong Place At The Wrong Time"
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 11, 2013
Modified May 11, 2013
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
Ben Yakas
Published May 11, 2013
Modified May 11, 2013
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
Yesterday, police arrested two men in connection with the brutal beating of two gay men in midtown Manhattan. Asllan Berisha, 21, and Brian Ramirez, 21, have been charged with hate crimes of felony assault and harassment for allegedly beating the two victims, ages 27 and 37, outside the PATH station on W. 33rd St. and Ninth Ave. about 5 a.m. Berisha's lawyer said, “My client was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” while his cousin told the Post, “He doesn’t have a problem with gay people.”
According to police, the victims, whose names have not been not released, were walking away from the Space Billiards pool hall when one of the assailants asked whether they were gay. “When they acknowledged they were, they were beaten to the ground,” said officials, adding the attackers uttered anti-gay slurs and repeatedly punched and kicked them. The victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where one man underwent eye surgery.
Cops are looking for more suspects—they believe there were at least five or six people involved with the beating. This attack came five days after two other gay men were attacked in the area near the Garden.
Tagged
gay bashing
hate crime
manhattan
midtown
police
port authority
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 5:26 p.m. ET
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.
By
Carol Chen
News
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
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 .