A memorial service [organized by Make the Road New York] was held Thursday evening in Queens, N.Y., for Anthony Collao, the teenager beaten to death with a pipe by attackers who thought he was gay.
Friends, family members, and officials gathered in Woodhaven at the scene of the brutal attack to remember Collao, who was 18. He died last week from injuries sustained when a group of teens chased and beat him outside a party hosted by two gay teens. Collao was not gay, but the group was yelling antigay slurs.
According to NBC New York, Police have arrested five suspects thus far in connection with the deadly attack on Collao, who passed away after he was taken off life support. At least one of the suspects is a juvenile. All were charged with manslaughter and assault as hate crimes.
Speakers at the candlelit vigil included city council speaker Christine Quinn, the victims younger sister Karen Collao, and Diego Sucuzhanay. His brother Jose died in 2008 as a result of a beating in Brooklyn by attackers who perceived him to be gay.
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