Norwalk gay bar

A gay couple was beaten and bloodied in front of the Connecticut gay bar they own. The two men say the incident was a hate crime, but local authorities disagree. Fitzpatrick said the assault amounted to a hate crime and that the incident is "being mishandled" by the Norwalk Police Department. On the evening of the attack, a male patron "repeatedly harassed and made several female patrons and our staff uncomfortable," which prompted staff to "respectfully" escort the man out of the venue, according to Fitzpatrick's statement.

When the man would not leave the bar's entryway, Fitzpatrick said, Ruiz went outside to de-escalate the situation and "peacefully" pleaded with the man to leave the area.

Norwalk police say attack on gay bar owners was not a hate crime

The man norwalk made disparaging remarks about the bar and the people inside it using anti-LGBTQ slurs, Fitzpatrick recounted. Gay man then became violent, repeatedly punching the right side of Ruiz's face and clawing at his chest, causing his clothes to rip and a necklace to be torn from his neck, Fitzpatrick wrote.

The suspect also punched Fitzpatrick in the neck, closing his airway, Fitzpatrick added. The statement was coupled with a graphic image of Ruiz on the evening of the incident. Ruiz can be seen lying on a hospital bed with his cheek torn open and blood rushing down his body. The Norwalk Police Department and Fitzpatrick confirmed that the police responded to the incident the evening the assault occurred.

But in the weeks since, Fitzpatrick said he and Ruiz received "zero updates" despite Fitzpatrick's repeated emails, calls and visits to the department. The Norwalk Police Department said in a statement to NBC News that it attempted to get sworn statements from the victims, "who did not show up for their appointments. In an email to NBC News on Thursday, Ruiz and Fitzpatrick said they were thankful that the police had arrested the suspect, but again rejected the department's version of the events.

It was scary having to speak up and not knowing if reliving the trauma would bring justice. The Norwalk incident is the latest in a slew of violent threats and attacks against LGBTQ people throughout the country this year. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Skip to Content. NBC Bar Logo.

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