Catholic high school coach fired in connection with gay couple attack in Philadelphia
CENTER CITY -- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia says it has fired an assistant basketball coach at Archbishop Wood High School in connection with an attack on a gay couple in Center City Philadelphia.
The Archdiocese tells Action News the man was terminated Wednesday evening and will not be permitted to be a coach at any other Archdiocesan school.
Action News was at Philadelphia Police Central Detectives in Spring Garden Wednesday night as that man arrived with his attorney to be questioned by police.
We have blurred his face and have not identified him because he has still not officially been named as a suspect or charged with a crime.
"The investigation is in progress. We are cooperating with it. I think we would all be wise to wait the outcome of it," said Brian McVan, the man's attorney.
Earlier Wednesday, the Archdiocese released a statement acknowledging that several former students of the school, located in Warminster, Bucks County, are suspected in the attack.
"Earlier today, Archbishop Wood High School became aware that some of its former students were allegedly involved in the assault of two men in Center City last week. This afternoon, administrators communicated with the entire Archbishop Wood school community to make it emphatically clear that the school does not, under any circumstances, tolerate or condone the violent and hateful behavior displayed by those who took part in this senseless attack.
Administration also stressed that Catholic schools are centers of learning where students are expected to treat each other in a Christ-like manner at all times and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The actions of those who took part in the attack are reprehensible and entirely unacceptable. They are not an accurate reflection of our Catholic values or of Archbishop Wood High School."
Again, none of the suspects has been formally identified by police.
Detectives are questioning several people in connection with the brutal attack near Rittenhouse Square that left two gay men hospitalized.
The incident unfolded at 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th.
Investigators say the victims, a 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, were in the 1600 block of Chancellor Street when police say they were approached by a group of 'unknown males and females.'
PHOTOS:
App users tap here
The group of 10-12 people approached and, according to police, 'made disparaging remarks about their sexual orientation.'
The group then pounced, with some of the suspects holding the victims while others punched them in the face, head and chest.
One of the victims dropped a bag containing a cell phone, wallet and credit cards. As police approached the scene, investigators say one of the suspects picked up the bag and the group fled.
Both victims were taken to the hospital with multiple injuries. Police say one victim was treated for fractures and deep lacerations to his face requiring surgery. His jaw has been wired shut.
While many are calling the incident a hate crime, Action News has learned that even after the suspects are caught, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office says the incident cannot be prosecuted as a hate crime.
That's because sexual orientation is not on the list of hate crimes in Pennsylvania.
The state did pass a hate crime law in 2002 that covered the LGBT community but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck it down on a technicality.
Legislation was re-introduced in 2009 but failed to make it out of committee.
The case has outraged the community, and it ignited social media.
Hours after authorities released surveillance video, Twitter users were credited by Philadelphia Police for searching online for the identities of people from a group seen in the video.
Twitter user fansince09 told Action News he was disgusted by the attack. Apparently many of his followers were, too, and they joined in the effort.
Fansince09 tweeted the video to his thousands of followers, and soon re-tweeted a picture apparently taken of this group at a nearby restaurant.
He looked on Facebook to see who had checked into that restaurant, and started clicking links, matching pictures to the video.
His effort resulted in a picture of a large party dining at a Center City restaurant. Police sources say that photograph is now part of the investigation.
Fansince09 got a shout-out on Twitter from police for his detective work.
Philadelphia police describe the suspects as "a group of approximately 10-12 white male and females all in their early 20's, clean-cut and well-dressed."
One suspect is described as having a husky build, brown hair, wearing a brown shirt and shorts.
Action News has learned the restaurant Pennsylvania 6 at 12th and Sansom Streets has put up $10,000 for information leading to the suspects. The Citizens Crime Commission is also offering a $1,000 reward.
Anyone with information was being asked to contact Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS (8477), text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847 or visit PhillyPolice.com.
