A gay couple in Boston’s Mattapan neighborhood was attacked with a baseball bat during a suspected homophobic hate crime.
The couple told police they were walking near 550 River Street around 7:45 p.m. on September 13 when a group of men “began making anti-homosexual remarks towards them,” according to a police report seen by Boston.com, WCVB and CBS Boston.
Two men were then “seen swinging unidentifiable objects at the victims,” per the police report.
One of the victims was found by police in a parking lot bleeding from the back of his head. He was treated at the scene and taken to Beth Israel Hospital for further evaluation, according to CBS Boston, NBC Boston and WCVB. His current condition has not been revealed as of time of publication.
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Meanwhile, the condition of the second victim has also not been revealed, per CBS Boston.
The Civil Rights Unit of the Boston Police is leading the investigation, and NBC Boston, CBS Boston and WHDH reported that no arrests have been made in relation to the attack.
The attack took place amid concerns that the LGBTQ+ community is being targeted in the neighborhood.
“Many folks in our community are fearful of escalating violence,” GLAD Legal Director Josh Rovenger told CBS News. “It just to us, reflects the kind of deeply concerning environment that we’re in right now. And the escalating fear of violence.”
Rovenger added, “If you look at the data trends from 2023 and 2024 through 2025, we’ve just seen an increase in violent attacks against the LGBTQ community.”
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Additionally, one neighbor spoke to CBS News about her concerns over the general safety of the residents. “I’m not going to say it’s not safe, but it’s not safe,” longtime resident Joann Harrington told the outlet.
Harrington said that she and other residents avoid walking in the area at night due to their concerns over intimidating groups. “It’s not kids hanging out. These are grown adults,” she added. “I don’t even like driving.”
