Feb 28, 2008 5:43 pm US/Eastern
Two Attacks, One Death In Hate Crimes Against Gays
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
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Hate Crime Against Gay Youth
CBS
A gay couple was threatened, one of whom was assaulted, at a Fort Lauderdale restaurant over the weekend, in what police are calling a hate crime. In a separate case, a 17-year-old gay youth was shot and killed after having an argument with two men in Fort Lauderdale almost within 24 hours of the first incident. Melbourne Brunner, 37, was with his partner at a restaurant at 1410 E. Las Olas Blvd., around 3 a.m. when a man walked by their table and started shouting at the two men, said Sgt. Frank Sousa, spokesman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
The police report cited as Brunner tried to get into his car, the man blocked him and punched him in the face several times. Brunner fell and struck his head on the ground, Sousa said. He said the man then threatened to kill Brunner's partner.
Police have been putting up posters all over the Sistrunk area of Fort Lauderdale looking for the person who killed Simmie Williams, the 17-year-old youth.
Detective Kathy Collins with the Fort Lauderdale police said, "He's a human being who was gunned down in the street and left for dead. So that should be enough incentive, I think, for someone to call in."
Many who knew of Williams had not heard of his death until his memorial. "I didn't even know it was him until I just saw the picture," said Tammy Smith. "I heard someone was killed, but I didn't know exactly who. And I saw the picture and it was him."
Police see no evidence that the attack on Brunner is related to the Friday morning murder of Williams, who was shot and killed in the 1000 block of Sistrunk Boulevard after getting into an argument with two men. Williams was wearing a dress.
Police are asking anyone with information about either case to call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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