Video: Tabu Doorman Assaulted in Gayborhood

Police have released video of a Gayborhood attack that occurred on December 27th around 2:40 a.m. near 12th and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia, and the victim in the attack is a doorman at Tabu, the popular 12th Street gay bar. Police are calling it aggravated assault.

The doorman and a Tabu bartender, both men, were walking northbound on 12th Street just north of Chestnut Street when they encountered a party of five. A verbal altercation ensued.

The two men and the group of five walked away from each other, but then two men in the larger group decided to turn around. There was a physical altercation with the Tabu employees, which left the doorman unconscious for several minutes.

He was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for injuries that included bleeding on the brain.

“He’s doing better, but it’s going to be a long road to a full recovery,” reports Tabu owner Jeffrey Sotland, who adds that the doorman is no longer in the hospital. A benefit is being planned for Saturday, January 21st, at 9 p.m. at Tabu. More details to follow.

Here are the descriptions of the suspects, as provided by police:

Suspect #1: White male of Middle Eastern or Indian descent, 20 years-of-age, 6’0″-6’2″, 280 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, beard with mustache, wearing a black jacket with a gold colored zipper, and black jeans.

Suspect #2: White male, 20 years-of-age, 5’6″-5’8″, 140 lbs, light brown hair with a long pony tail, wearing a black leather jacket with several zippers, and blue jeans.

The two suspects appear in the above photos and the surveillance video below. Police were unable to provide details on the nature of the verbal altercation.