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Authorities in Long Beach are classifying a "brutal attack" on two gay men as hate crimes, and today announced the arrest of two suspects, reports the Press-Telegram. The attack took place Monday night in the vicinity of The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach.A 19-year-old and a 27-year-old, both males from Long Beach, "have been arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon in the attack."
Witnesses reported seeing the attack, and were able to alert the authorities and paramedics. The victims, older men thought to be in their late 50s or early 60s, were approached by the suspects as they walked away from the Center.
"What are you looking at faggots?" one suspect allegedly taunted.
The men tried to leave the area, however the suspects proceeded to attack:
As the two men walked past the suspects, one of them took a cell phone picture of the harassing suspect while the other man was preparing to contact police. But the suspects attacked the men. One of the suspects pushed one of the victim's onto the ground and stomped on the man's hand in an attempt to grab his cell phone.
Officers arrested the suspects after they attempted to flee on foot.