Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal beating of a man outside an El Paso, Tex., gay nightclub earlier this month.
The victim, Lionel Martinez, 22, remains in a medically induced coma at University Medical Center in El Paso, following the May 7 attack outside the Old Plantation nightclub.
Ivan Gallardo, 17, was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault. On Tuesday, police arrested Roman Olvera, 19, who was also charged with aggravated assault. A 16-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with the attack.
According to police, Martinez was outside the club waiting for a ride when an argument ensued between he and six other men. Martinez was punched, kicked and hit with a bat.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Even though Lionel Martinez is not gay, his friend Sarah Martinez insists it was a crime motivated by hate. She said the group beating him up yelled gay slurs at him.
El Paso police insist the attack was an aggravated assault, however the FBI is investigating the beating as a hate crime.
