A GoFundMe has been set up for the victim of a beating in front of the Castro Theatre on March 9. The fiscal appeal has already raised $3,100, while San Francisco police continue to look for the suspect in the incident.
The attack took place at approximately 7:41 p.m. last Sunday,
San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Kwanjai Laokwansathitaya stated in an email to the Bay Area Reporter on March 14.
"Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male seated on the ground and suffering from injuries," Laokwansathitaya stated. "Officers rendered aid and paramedics arrived on scene to render aid as well. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries."
The attack was unprovoked, according to police.
"During a preliminary investigation, officers learned that the suspect physically attacked the victim without provocation. After assaulting the victim, the suspect fled on foot southbound on Castro Street towards 18th Street," Laokwansathitaya stated.
No arrests have been made and the situation remains an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tippers may remain anonymous.
KGO-TV aired a video March 12 of the incident that was taken by a bystander and shared with the local ABC affiliate. An unnamed eyewitness said, "I saw someone being brutally assaulted, kicked, punched; it was like the tail end of the assault, blood everywhere."
The local television station's report also does not name the victim, or his partner. The latter told KGO's J.R. Stone that the man who was attacked worked at The Mix gay bar on 18th Street and will need to see an eye and ear specialist going forward after suffering multiple skull fractures.
The victim had bounced three people out of the bar earlier that day, one of whom lost teeth after biting the bar employee's finger, the partner said.
The GoFundMe page identifies the victim as Tony and includes photos of him in the hospital with his injuries from the attack. The goal is to raise $60,000 to pay for emergency room and ambulance costs, eye and ear specialist appointments, and lost wages and recovery support.
The GoFundMe states Tony lacks medical insurance, which places "an enormous financial burden on him as he focuses on healing." It also touts the KGO-TV coverage and another story that aired on KNTV-TV.
"This unprovoked act of violence left him with severe injuries, including several skull fractures, requiring immediate hospitalization, emergency medical care, and ongoing treatment from specialists," the GoFundMe states. "Tony is a kind and caring person who did not deserve this horrific attack. As he navigates this painful and uncertain time, we want to rally around him and ensure that he doesn't have to bear this financial hardship alone."
The B.A.R. reached out to the GoFundMe organizers seeking comment but has yet to receive a response.
This is a developing story and will be updated as the B.A.R. receives additional information.
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