NYPD says Neptune dinner attack on transgender woman possible hate crime

Pictured right, the three suspects still on the loose in NYC for assaulting a transgender woman and her male companion.

Source DNA Info

The violence unfolded on Jan. 8, at 5 a.m., when a 30-year-old transgender woman and her friend, a 32-year-old man, were assaulted and hit with a plate inside the Neptune Diner at 31-05 Astoria Blvd.

The attack was sparked by a dispute with two women who made derogatory statements toward the transgender woman, according to the commanding officer of the 114th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney.

Both victims where treated at Mount Sinai Queens. The male needed stitches, police said.

Police are looking for the two women, thought to be in their 20s or 30s, as well as a man they were with. They left the location before police arrived.

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident, Maloney said.

Anyone with information in regards to this assault is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.