Man Wearing Gay Pride Shirt Stabbed in Hate Crime, San Diego Police Say

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man wearing a T-shirt bearing the words "Gay Pride" was reportedly beaten, stabbed and verbally attacked Monday night on College Grove Drive and San Diego police are investigating it as a hate crime.

According to San Diego police Sgt. Michael Tansey, the incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. on Labor Day as the victim, a 40-year-old man whose identity was not disclosed, was walking on the sidewalk near 6300 College Grove in Oak Park, near the entrance to Chollas Lake.

The victim told police that as a dark-colored sedan traveling in the opposite direction passed him, its occupants began yelling out derogatory terms about his sexual preference.

The car then turned around, stopped near him and out came several male suspects, who started punching and kicking him while continuing to shout insults about his sexuality, the victim told police.

The victim was eventually able to escape and use his cellphone to call his parents, but not before he was stabbed in his left forearm, according to Tansey.

Paramedics took the victim to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he was treated for the non- life-threatening stab wound.

According to Tansey, detectives with the San Diego Police Department's Southeastern Division are investigating the incident as a stabbing and a hate crime.

The exact number of suspects was not clear, nor were their descriptions.

Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is asked to contact police at the Southeastern Division by calling 619-527-3500. Tips can be submitted anonymously to San Diego County Crime Stoppers by clicking here or calling 888-580-8477.

Patch file photo/Maggie Avants