Anthony Collao

Meet Anthony Collao, age 18.  Anthony, who was not gay, was beaten to death by five suspects yelling anti-gay slurs at a party.  The party was hosted by two gay friends.

Anthony died when he was removed from life support on Moday March 14th, 2011.

From the story:

Party crashers yelled anti-gay slurs, then beat and stomped a teen to death at a Queens birthday bash, sources and witnesses said.

Anthony Collao, 18, a recent high school graduate who wanted to help run his family's ice cream business, died Monday at Jamaica Hospital.

It's not clear why Collao was targeted. Friends said he had a girlfriend and was not gay - though the two men who threw the party are openly gay.

...


The crashers flashed gang signs, yelled anti-gay slurs and scrawled epithets in red marker on the walls, the two party hosts said.

"They called us homos and all kinds of stuff," said one of the men, who was celebrating his 20th birthday.

Sensing trouble, Collao left with a friend and was chased, sources said. The gang caught up to him, pinned him against a car and "beat him to within an inch of his life," a source said.

A memorial was held March 24th, 2011. 

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.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was at the vigil, denouncing anti-gay violence.

"That is what happens when hate goes unchecked. That is what happens when you allow homophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments to fester in a society," said Quinn.

Anthony Collao was not gay, but Thursday night he had the full support of the gay community.  And a sister who still can't believe her brother is gone.

"It just broke my heart completely because losing your older brother, blood running through, it just hurt. It's a pain you can't imagine," she said.

UPDATE 6/24/2011:

According to CBS NEWS  6 men have been charged with murder as a hate crime in Anthony's death.

...


Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said Thursday the defendants were each charged in a 21-count indictment that includes second-degree murder as a hate crime. Brown said the charges were upgraded after new evidence from witnesses.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said previously that the suspects made "homophobic remarks" and scrawled on a wall with red markers after crashing the party.

The defendants could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20073784-504083.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/03/15/2011-03-15_teen_beaten_to_death.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2011/03/16/2011-03-16_5th_suspect_arrested_in_fatal_beating_of_queens_teen_bragged_of_hate_crime_on_fa.html
http://www.queerty.com/queens-remembers-anthony-collao-the-straight-teen-gay-bashed-to-death-20110325/
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Community-Mourns-Teen-Hate-Crime-Victim-118626209.html