Caught on Video: Gay Couple Assaulted at NYC Restaurant

A New York City gay couple's Cinco de Mayo celebration ended violently Tuesday night when the pair became the target of an alleged anti-gay assault inside a Chelsea restaurant. According to The New York Daily News, the NYPD is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

The assault, which was captured on cell phone video and was first reported by DNAinfo, took place at Dallas BBQ in Chelsea and involved Jonathan Snipes, 32 and his boyfriend Ethan York-Adams, 25. In one video posted to Instagram, an attacker screams anti-gay slurs at the couple before picking up a wooden restaurant chair and clobbering them with it.

"These guys attacked us specifically because they knew we weren't their type of people," Snipes said. "It was disgusting. It was awful."

According to Snipes, the incident, which happened around 11 p.m., started when he inadvertently knocked over a drink while walking past a table in the restaurant.

"A table near us audibly started making pretty gross comments about the two of us like, 'White faggots, spilling drinks,'" Snipes said.

Isaac Sharefman, who posted the video to Instagram and YouTube, spoke with the Daily News, and claims he never heard any gay slurs.

"I didn't get the impression it was a hate crime because the other guy (Snipes) started the fight," Sharefman said.

Sarah Meyers, 33, a friend of the victims has a different story.

"He was calling them faggots all night," Meyers told DNAinfo.com of the attacker. "It's disgusting. It's unbelievable."

The attackers left the scene after the incident and yet to be apprehended by the police. The assailant with the chair is described as a bearded 6'4" 35-year-old man.

"I am appalled and angered by the senseless act of anti-LGBT hate violence that was perpetrated last night at a restaurant in my district," New York City Councilman Corey Johnson said in a written statement. "The fact that this attack took place in the neighborhood of Chelsea, a place known around the world for its acceptance of all people, is particularly outrageous.

"There must be zero tolerance of hate crimes, the most insidious of crimes as they target entire communities of people," he added. "I urge the perpetrators of this act to turn themselves in immediately."

Management from Dallas BBQ also released a statement Wednesday night regarding the incident.

"Dallas BBQ is deeply saddened by the altercation between several of our patrons at our Chelsea location on Tuesday night," the statement reads.
"We have been proudly serving Chelsea for over a decade and will not tolerate violent or hateful behavior within our restaurant."

"We are fully cooperating with the investigation by the NYPD to apprehend the attacker and actively seeking justice for the victims of the attack," the statement continues. "As a staple of New York, Dallas BBQ celebrates a diverse clientele at all of our locations and will continue to make everyone feel welcome and safe."

Anyone with information on the incident that can assist the NYPD in their investigation should contact 1-800-577-TIPS or www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.