Detectives investigating 2 reported anti-gay attacks on Seattle's Capitol Hill

SEATTLE -- Police are investigating two reported anti-gay attacks on Seattle's Capitol Hill last weekend.

According to Seattle police, the first case was reported Friday afternoon when a man walked into the East Precinct and told officers he had been jumped by two men as he walked down the street.

He told officers the two suspects surrounded him in the 500 block of Bellevue Avenue East and shoved him to the ground before shouting homophobic slurs and kicking him in the ribs.

A witness helped the victim get home after the attack, and a friend later took him to the hospital where he was treated for injuries to his hands, face, and leg.

After treatment, he then walked to the police station and reported the incident. He said he was wearing headphones at the time and did not get a good look at the suspects.

A second incident

Sunday night, police said two men called 9-1-1 around 10:00 p.m. to report that a man had followed them down the street, spit on them, and shouted anti-gay slurs.

They told officers they were walking down the 1500 block of Olive Way holding hands when they passed the suspect who was sitting on a bench. The couple said they ignored the man who eventually turned around and walked off.

Investigators are searching for video surveillance in the area.

SAFE Place

Last week, the police department launched a new program called Safe Place. It’s a collaboration between community groups, business owners and Seattle police, with the goal of better protecting members of the LGBTQ community.

This poster or sticker in a window means you can go inside for help.

It's part of an effort to increase the reporting of incidents of bias to police, and ensure crimes are fully documented and tracked using SPD's SeaStat crime analysis and prevention program.