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Two BK Men Indicted For Attempted Murder as a Hate Crime Following Anti-Gay Attack in Bushwick

The men allegedly shouted homophobic slurs at the men before violently attacking and stabbing them
Screenshot 2021-10-22 at 11.44.53
The Bushwick bodega where the attack occurred. Photo: Google Maps.

Two Brooklyn men have been indicted for attempted murder as a hate crime and other charges in connection with an alleged anti-gay attack against two men at a Bushwick bodega in September.

Both victims were assaulted and stabbed and suffered numerous injuries, including collapsed lungs.

The alleged attackers are Christopher Clemente, 37, of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Jonathan Carter, 31, of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Friday.

Carter was arraigned on Friday at Brooklyn Supreme court on a 26-count indictment in which both are variously charged with second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault as a hate crime, first-degree attempted assault, second-degree assault as a hate crime, and related charges. Clemente will be arraigned next week. 

The charges follow an investigation into the attack, which occurred on September 4 around 2:10am side a Bushwick bodega at 1559 Broadway.

A 36-year-old man and a 29-year-old man were waiting for food when the Clemente and Carter allegedly both made a series of homophobic slurs directed at the victims. Clemente then allegedly repeatedly punched the 36-year-old man in the face and Carter then allegedly repeatedly struck him about the head and body with a glass liquor bottle, causing him to fall to the floor. Clemente then allegedly repeatedly stabbed the 36-year-old in the head and body.

Then, Clemente and an another man who has not been apprehended chased after the 29-year-old victim, grabbing him, and Clemente repeatedly stabbed the younger man while making homophobic slurs, the investigation alleges.

The older victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including head, buttocks and lung, causing a collapsed left lung. The younger victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his body, including neck and lungs, causing both lungs to collapse.

“The two victims in this case suffered serious and life-threatening injuries in a completely unprovoked attack. The defendants’ actions were particularly egregious as they allegedly attacked two innocent people because they believed them to be gay,” Gonzalez said.

“No one should be targeted because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or religion. We must all be able to safely walk the streets of our city without fear of being senselessly attacked.” Carter’s bail was set at $10,000 and he was ordered to return to court on December 10, 2021. Clemente, who's being held on $150,000 bond or $100,000 cash bail, will be arraigned next week. 




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