Williamsburg Gay Bar Attacker Arraigned On Hate Crime Charges: DA

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — A man accused of viciously beating two men, all while screaming homophobic slurs, outside a Williamsburg gay bar was arraigned on hate crime charges Wednesday, prosecutors said.

Brandon McNamara, 25, faces multiple hate crime charges after he allegedly beat two men into unconsciousness near the corner of Metropolitan and Union avenues the morning of Sept. 23, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

McNamara allegedly lunged at his 29-year-old and 34-year-old victims at about 1 a.m., knocking out the 34-year-old with a punch to the face then grabbing the 29-year-old and throwing him against a tree, said police.

The 34-year-old suffered a fractured shoulder and the 29-year-old a broken finger, police said.

McNamara turned himself in three days after the attack when police released his photo, which had been taken by a witness, said prosecutors.

McNamara was released from Brooklyn Criminal Court on a $15,000 bail after being charged assault, menacing and harassment, all as hate crimes, prosecutors said.

The Queens man is expected to return to court on Jan. 16 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted, said prosecutors.

Photos courtesy of the NYPD