Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
LIC Restaurant Allegedly Refused To Help Hate Crime Victims
By
Lauren Evans
Published Aug 20, 2013
Modified Aug 20, 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
Lauren Evans
Published Aug 20, 2013
Modified Aug 20, 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
A Long Island City lounge has come under fire for allegedly not allowing the victims of Saturday's hate crime—which left an interracial husband and wife with multiple injuries—back inside after the attack occurred, even though they'd patronized the establishment only moments before.
Chris Boscia, who accompanied Billie and Jacob James-Vogel to the upscale restaurant SHI on Saturday to celebrate Billie's birthday, said the concierge shut the door in his face when he asked for help following a brutal attack by a group of men, who had preceded the pummeling with a series of racial and homophobic slurs.
Boscia said he'd only asked the concierge to call the police—the battery on his own phone had died—but the doorman allegedly refused, leaving the group stranded outside with their attackers.
SHI, for its part, vehemently denies its role in the debacle, and has posted the following message to the homepage of its website:
It is being reported that we at SHI denied them help. We vehemently deny these allegations because it is simply untrue. We were not aware of the incident until it was over. In any event we were informed the Police were called and on their way. Neither Billie or Jacob Vogel was turned away. As a business serving Long Island City and beyond, we have a very diverse clientele and are very [sic] invloved in the community. We strongly condemn discrimination in all forms and under no circumstances would we turn away anyone who needed help for whatever reason. Our sympathies go out to the james-Vogels and we sincerely hope they recover both physically and emotionally from this devastating incident.
Boscia said police arrived roughly two minutes after the attack occurred. The incident left Jacob James-Vogel with a black eye and injured head, and his wife Billie, who was celebrating her 40th birthday, with a broken toe and several bruises. So far, only one arrest has been made.
Tagged
hate crime
long island city
original
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
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 .