‘I thought we were being murdered’: Suspected hate crime in Pasadena puts 3 in hospital

A suspected hate crime left three folks hospitalized after a weekly drag present at ix Tapa Cantina in Outdated City Pasadena.

Diamond Gonzalez, who produces the occasion, stated they have been attacked as a result of they’re members of the LGBTQ neighborhood.

“I assumed I used to be going to die in that second … I can’t even clarify how ugly and harsh and darkish this second was,” Gonzalez stated.

Gonzalez, his boyfriend and a number of other different buddies have been leaving the bar at about 2 a.m. Friday morning after they have been jumped by a gaggle of eight to 10 males carrying masks, he stated.

“As I used to be speaking to one in every of my buddies to say goodbye, the attackers got here from behind and simply hit me from behind after I wasn’t trying and knocked me out,” Gonzalez stated.

When Gonzalez awoke, he noticed a pal on the bottom unresponsive, and his nephew was making an attempt to get away in a close-by automotive because the attackers surrounded him.

“My nephew was within the automotive and he was scared as a result of they have been making an attempt to get him out the automotive, so he put the automotive in reverse and he unintentionally, with out realizing, ran over my pal,” Gonzalez stated.

As they tried to struggle again and scream for assist, one of many attackers pulled a gun on the victims, although no pictures have been fired, Gonzalez stated.

“I assumed we have been being murdered, to be trustworthy with you,” he stated.

Nothing was stolen, however Gonzalez and two others have been hospitalized with accidents starting from a concussion to stitches and bruises.

The Pasadena Police Division is investigating the assault as a hate crime, telling KTLA the division “acknowledges the significance of defending the protection and dignity of all of our neighborhood members and we stand in solidarity with these affected by the heinous assaults perpetrated final week.”

“We’re dedicated to making sure the general public’s security and will likely be offering sources and referrals to companies for individuals who have been affected by this crime,” the division added.

Gonzalez, in the meantime, needs police to apprehend the perpetrators who attacked him for his efforts to “be a voice for the LGBT neighborhood.”

“We have to come ahead and we have to have justice for conditions like this. It’s not OK. It’s 2022. Individuals want to maneuver on and recover from it. Homosexual folks exists and it’s regular. And I don’t need folks to really feel scared,” he stated.

Anybody with data is requested to name the Pasadena Police Division at 626-744-4501.

To report data anonymously, name Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org.

To help the victims of the assault, go to Gonzalez’s GoFundMe.