Yesterday, as authorities increased the number of victims in the baseball bat beating/stabbing attacks following San Diego’s gay pride festival from three to five, Mayor Jerry Sanders spoke at a news conference and vowed to bring the attackers to justice:

“I have a few choice words for the criminals who committed this vicious attack, and for any others who are contemplating perpetrating such a crime –you are cowards…The attackers taunted the victims with anti-gay insults as they were beating them. This is the very definition of a hate crime…Clearly, these animals wanted to push these men back into the closet. We won’t and shouldn’t allow that to occur.”

The victims were leaving San Diego’s Balboa Park at around 10:45 pm when they were set upon by a gang described as “three white men wearing dark clothing” who taunted them with anti-gay epithets as they beat them with a baseball bat and attempted to stab them with a sharp object. One of the victims remains hospitalized with a fractured skull.

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne says he believes the attack was planned and assured citizens that authorities were working hard to get results: “We are absolutely convinced that we will be able to solve this crime in a short amount of time. We are working diligently on this case.” (Video)

The San Diego police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Police chief vows to find 3 attackers of 5 gay men [san diego union tribune]
Sanders to Gay Bashers: You Are Cowards [san diego union tribune]

Previously
San Diego Pride: Audience, Acceptance, Attacks [tr]
Fashion Statement [tr]