Police Seek Information About Possible Homophobic Attack at 15th and Walnut Last Night

UPDATE, 9 p.m.: This evening I spoke with Caryn Kunkle, one of the first people to post on social media about the attack. She says she has been long-time friends with both victims. Although she was unwilling to provide their names, she did tell me that the men are 30 and 31 and described them as “tall, masculine-looking dudes.” Kunkle said the men were walking home when a group of approximately eight to ten young people bumped into them. After a very brief verbal confrontation where one of the attackers asked if the men were boyfriends, the group physically struck.

“It went from 0 to 100 miles per hour,” she said. “They were calling them ‘fucking faggots’ and everything.”

According to Kunkle, one of the victims fractured both his cheekbones and jawbone, and has a 2-inch laceration from his nose to inside his lip; he is scheduled to go into surgery Sunday morning.

Kunkle also said that the Special Victims Unit is involved and that they should be issuing a statement within the next several days.

ORIGINAL: According to posts on Facebook and Twitter earlier today, a gay couple were attacked by a gang of eight to 12 people at 15th and Walnut streets at approximately 11 p.m. Thursday night:

https://www.facebook.com/bubba.kunkle/posts/10201553079189140

WOW a gay bashing at 15th & Walnut last night at 11PM. I am really thought we were passed that. Any news on it, besides FB postings?

— PhillyChitChat (@HughE_Dillon) September 12, 2014

Supposedly, the victims were badly injured.

“There’s a whole bunch of talk, but there is nothing on our records as of yet,” said Philadelphia Police public affairs officer Tanya Little late Friday afternoon. “We are hearing [about this possible attack] on social media, too.”

Officer Little urged that anyone who has any information about the alleged incident contact the police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or via the department’s online tips form.