Aug. 24, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
Police are investigating an incident last week when a transgender woman was struck in the head with a hammer as a hate crime, and several councilmen are speaking up against violence toward transgender women.
The victim reported to police that around 6 a.m. last Wednesday a man exited a gray Toyota 4Runner and approached the victim in front of 41-01 67th Street. He attempted to steal her purse, and then struck her in the head with a hammer and yelled “This is what you get for being gay,” before fleeing the scene.
The suspect ran to his vehicle and drove southbound on 66th Street. The victim suffered substantial bleeding and head pain, and was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where she was treated and then released.
The incident is under investigation by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force, which investigates bias-related crimes.
“I am outraged that yet another member of the Queens transgender community was brutally attacked on our streets just a few days ago,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm in a statement. “Targeted violence against LGBT people strikes at the heart of the community and will not be tolerated. I await the results of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force investigation which is currently underway and will continue to push back against hate in all its forms.”
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer also took a strong stance against the crime. He posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter that read, “I’m extremely disturbed and angered over reports that a trans woman was attacked in Woodside earlier this week. Transgender women are disproportionally the victims of violence, and one attack is one attack too many. We are working with the NYPD to ensure this is being investigated as a hate crime, and we must say loud and clear that there is no room for anti-trans hatred or violence in our neighborhoods.”
Van Bramer announced that he would hold a rally tomorrow along with Make the Road New York and New York City Anti Violence Project to end violence against trans women. The rally will be at Woodside Plaza at Woodside Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue at 5 p.m.
Police have released a photo and video of the suspect, and anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)
Featured Events
One Comment
JVB should be having a rally as to why the “Quality Inn” located at 53-05, queens boulevard became a homeless shelter – oh wait he knew about it from the start — the ink was already dry —