AUSTIN, Texas – Four men are in custody in connection to an assault on a gay couple in downtown Austin last month.

  • Four arrested, accused of attacking gay couple
  • Suspects charged with second-degree aggravated assault
  • Police investigating it as a hate crime

Frank Macias, Quinn O’Connor, Miguel Macias and Kolby Monell were arrested by Austin Police Department. 

Investigators said the incident is being investigated as a hate crime and all four men are facing two counts of second-degree aggravated assault. Bond has been set at $150,000 each. 

Twenty-three-year-old Spencer Deehring and 22-year-old Tristan Perry say they are still recovering from the physical and emotions wounds after being attacked downtown on January 19.

The couple said after a night out with friends, they were leaving the bar Rain on West 4th Street, holding hands. A man walking past them called the couple a gay slur.

The man then started assaulting the couple to point of unconsciousness. Both of the men sustained concussions and lacerations on their faces.

Police released the following statement: “We want our community to know we do not tolerate these types of crimes.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the couple to help them pay for their medical bills. The GoFundMe goal of $4,000 has now been surpassed with more than $22,000.

The couple is still dealing with the effects of the resulting head trauma, as well as the emotional toll. Going forward, the couple said they will remain cautious, but will not change how they display their affection in public.

“We want people to realize that the world needs more love and more acceptance. Hate needs to end. It needs to be gone,” said Perry.

*This Gofundme.com site is not managed by Spectrum News. For more information on how the site works and the rules, visit gofundme.com/safety.