Police: 15 ‘clean cut, well-dressed’ men and women suspected in ‘hate crime’ assault on gay couple

These seven women and eight men are suspected by police of participating in a hate crime assault on a gay couple on Thursday night in Rittenhouse. Police are seeking help in identifying the suspects. Credit: PPD

Police have released surveillance footage showing 15 people walking down the street who are wanted for an alleged attack on a gay couple.

Two gay men, aged 27 and 28, were reportedly attacked on Thursday night around 10:45 p.m. near 16th and Chancellor streets in the Rittenhouse neighborhood.

“As the group approached the complainants they made disparaging remarks about their sexual orientation. The group then attacked the complainants holding them while other members of the group punched them in the face, head and chest,” police said.

One victim dropped a bag with his wallet, cell phone and credit cards, which the group reportedly took.

Both victims were reportedly hospitalized afterwards for multiple injuries, police said, one with fractures and deep lacerations to his face which required surgery and to have his jaw wired shut.

Surveillance footage from the incident shows a group of multiple men and women walking down the street and indicates that all of them are suspect in the assault. Police describe the suspects as “clean cut and well dressed.”