The family of a white man who was assaulted on Aug. 21 believe that he was a victim of a hate crime, CBS Baltimore reports.
The unnamed 25-year-old victim was walking home from his lifeguarding job in the Otterbein neighborhood of Baltimore when he was allegedly attacked by three black teens.
According to The Baltimore Sun, the teens shouted “Hey white boy” and “What you got?” at the victim. A rock was thrown at the victim’s face, and according to police, one of the teens tried to stab him with a pocket knife. The victim dodged the knife.
The teen suspected of the attempted stabbing, identified as 19-year-old Sidney Joyner, was arrested and currently faces charges of armed robbery, robbery and two counts of assault.
But the victim’s father, who also is unidentified, thinks that Joyner should have been charged with a hate crime, citing the “Hey white boy” line.
“If roles were reversed, it definitely would be no question whether it was a hate crime or not,” the father told CBS Baltimore.
When CBS Baltimore asked the police why there was not a charge for hate crime, they referred them to the city state’s attorney’s office. That office told CBS Baltimore that police can make initial charges but the city state attorney can add more charges after the investigation is complete.
Eleven stitches were needed for the victim’s lip, and plastic surgery will be needed as well.
Joyner is also a suspect in an incident from the night before, in which another lifeguard was attacked walking home by a group that shouted “What are you doing white boy?” and punched him in the mouth.