Man Turns Himself In, Faces Charges In Attack On Gay Man At Bar
A Redwood City, California man wanted for allegedly beating up a man because of he was gay turned himself in to the Sheriff's Office around noon Wednesday. Cole White, 24, surrendered a day after a judge signed a $50,000 arrest warrant charging him with assault and a hate crime allegation.
"He provided a brief statement and said he would like to speak to an attorney," Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend said.
An alleged anti-gay assault that took place at a Santa Cruz club has led to an arrest warrant being issued for the suspected assailant.
The warrant for the arrest of 24-year-old Cole White was issued Jan. 5, reported local newspaper the Santa Cruz Sentinel that same day. White is wanted for allegedly beating a man in his early 30s identified only as Chris.
Both men had been at gay-friendly club Blue Lagoon, the article said; according to the victim’s account, as told to ABC News, White called Chris a "fag" outside the establishment, at which point Chris took his photo with his cell phone. "I turned to the person and I said, ’You know what? I am gay, I’m walking down the street, and I’m sorry you have a problem with it,’" Chris recounted. "And he started to come at me," the victim added.
Later, when both men were inside, the victim reportedly asked White about his having yelled anti-gay slurs at him. At that point, the report said, White launched into an attack, punching Chris, knocking him down, and beating him. The assault left the victim with cuts, bruises, and a broken nose.
Said Santa Cruz Police Department spokesperson Zach Friend, "This is a very disappointing thing to hear that in our community, in this day and age, that we would have this kind of issue, this kind of intolerance, that someone would be attacked exclusively because of their sexual orientation. It is inexcusable and unconscionable."
Club manager Fred Friedman offered a different account of events, saying that the two clashed on the dance floor, then went outside to settle the matter. Friedman said that fighting is not tolerated at the club; those involved were ejected and will not be allowed back on the premises.
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