During a vacation in Miami Beach, 25-year-old Californian Jordan Schaeffer was attacked for kissing his boyfriend Erik Danko while standing in line for Burger King Whopper Bar.
This week, surveillance video was released by police, clearly capturing the 3 a.m. attack on March 14.
The video features a man in a dark shirt and shorts approaching Schaeffer. He then slams him to the ground and proceeds to use his legs to put him in a headlock and pummel him for an entire minute.
Meanwhile, over a dozen bystanders watch the attack, but do nothing. Some customers are even snickering or casually walking away.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Danko attempted to intervene and break up the fight. That’s when a second man in a light, long-sleeve shirt and jeans prevented him from doing so.
According to witnesses, the attacker was shouting antigay slurs before he began to beat Schaeffer.
Talking to a local CBS news station, Miami Beach police officer Ernesto Rodriquez said “the subjects in this case happen to be gay individuals, and that’s part of our investigation to see what provoked the attack.”
Police are currently working closely with the state’s attorney’s office to solve the case.
Fortunately, Schaeffer managed to walk away from the attack with only scratches, bruises, and a busted lip.
Police are pursuing the case as a felony battery.
Schaeffer and Danko have gone ahead and hired an attorney. They feel the assault should be treated as a hate crime.
Investigators are still looking for the man who instigated the attack.
Watch the surveillance footage below:
