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Sacramento Police Looking For Suspect In Attack On Gay Couple

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A gay male couple were walking hand-in-hand along J Street in Midtown over the weekend when they were verbally and physically assaulted, according to Sacramento police, who are asking for help in finding the suspect.

A 25-year-old man was struck in the head with a heavy object, this after the suspect pulled along side them in an SUV with a female passenger and began yelling sexual epithets at the two men, according to police, who responded to 18th and J streets at about 2 a.m.

As the victim and his acquaintance continued to walk away, the driver got out of the SUV and knocked the man out cold, police said. The suspect then fled. The victim sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The attack was alarming to Midtown residents.

"I'd never expect that here in Sacramento," one man told CBS13's Tony Lopez on Tuesday.

And another woman said "It seems pretty safe, but I guess there's hateful people everywhere.

Miguel Mendoza, a member of the Sacramento gay community who bartends at Hamburger Patties on J, said he's never had an issues but has heard of others who have.

"I'm a pretty big guy, so maybe people are afraid of me," Mendoza said.

The driver was described as black, mid-20s, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with a husky build, short hair and sideburns. The passenger, also black, was described as mid-20s, with curly shoulder-length hair.

The suspect vehicle was a white or silver SUV, possibly a Range Rover with paper license plates, police said.

The Sacramento Police Department is asking anyone with information on this incident to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information.

Callers can remain anonymous.

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