Four Teenage Boys Have Been Accused Of Committing “Hate Crimes” For Attacking Gay Men In Australia
The teens, aged 15 to 17, allegedly created fake profiles on the LGBTQ dating app to lure gay men out to meet them in real life, before attacking them using weapons like crowbars and machetes.
Four teenage boys in Australia allegedly catfished gay men out on dates using Grindr and then attacked them, causing outrage.
The teens, aged 15 to 17, allegedly created fake profiles on the LGBTQ dating app to lure gay men out to meet them in real life, before attacking them using weapons like crowbars and machetes.
In the first case, a gay man in his 30s told police he was harassed by the teens when he showed up at a meet up with another Grindr user on Sep. 18 in Perth, Western Australia.
As the man tried to escape, the group allegedly attempted to steal his car, surrounding it, throwing rocks and smashing the windscreen.
Shortly after the first attack, the teens allegedly lured another man in his 30s out to the same location, where they physically and verbally attacked him, stealing his jacket, car keys and vehicle.
The second man suffered serious injuries, including a large cut on his elbow and bruising to his back and ribs, according to the police.
The teens also allegedly took videos of the attacks and shared some on social media.
All four teenagers were arrested and charged with several crimes, including armed robbery and car theft.
Prosecutors called the attacks premeditated, anti-gay hate crimes, meaning the teens had planned and targeted the victims because of their sexuality.
The investigation is still ongoing, and police are looking for more suspects.
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Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
