Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that he is directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to investigate reports of an alleged assault and possible hate crime in Rochester last Friday.
Rochester police are already investigating the alleged attacks on two men as a hate crime. Now, they'll get help from state police.
One of the reported victims was a transgender man.
They were approached by two other men last Friday near Denver Street and Parsells Avenue when the alleged assault took place.
Governor Cuomo said in a statement:
"I am outraged by reports of an assault against a 30-year-old black transgender man in Rochester. New York will never tolerate such rancorous acts of hate, and I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide any and all resources necessary to bring the assailants to justice.
"Anti-transgender violence is an epidemic in this country with more than one in four trans people experiencing hate-based assaults, with trans women and trans people of color experiencing higher rates of violence. There is no place for individuals to fear for their safety based on who they are, who they love, or how they look in New York.
"We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with members of the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and will never cease in our pursuit to fulfill New York's legacy as a beacon of mutual respect and justice for all."
One victim was hospitalized.
Police ask anyone with information to call 911 to help them find the two suspects.
Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary released a statement on Wednesday on the investigation:
“We are utilizing every resource to investigate and apprehend the person(s) responsible for this heinous crime committed in our community. The Rochester Police Department has no tolerance for any crime committed against a citizen of this community, let alone a crime that is committed because of an individual’s identity. We continue to ask for the public’s assistance in solving this crime. We will continue to work with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Rochester City Council also released a statement on Wednesday denouncing the incident:
On Friday, two members of the Rochester community were assaulted on Denver Street in the Beechwood Neighborhood. Information suggests that these individuals were victimized as members of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the individuals sustained multiple injuries and was admitted to an area hospital for treatment.
Upon learning of this incident late Friday night, the City Council reached out to the Chief of Police, who assured us that RPD would be investigating this incident as a potential hate crime. Council President Loretta C. Scott also reached out to the District Attorney asking that their office work with RPD to ensure this crime be investigated and prosecuted as a hate crime, and the DA’s office has shared their commitment to partner with RPD and at this time they intend to treat this as a hate crime investigation.
The entire Council stands firmly in support of the victims and condemns acts of violence in our community, especially those inflicted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or disability.
Our hearts are with the victim of this senseless act of violence and we wish them a quick recovery. We encourage anyone who has information that could help with this investigation to contact 911.
