Community Alerts

AVP is saddened and outraged by the death of Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar, who was found in her apartment on Tuesday, March 31 in Glendale, Queens. Her death has been ruled a homicide and there were signs of struggle in the apartment. An investigation is currently underway by the NYPD.

AVP was outraged to hear of a bias attack that occurred last week in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. The story broke yesterday after the NYPD released its report on the attack. According to the NYPD, on Tuesday, March 2 at 12:50am, a man was jumped and badly beaten by five men shouting anti-gay slurs at Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue. The victim, who suffered severe bruising and a head laceration, was treated at Lutheran Medical Center and has since been released. No arrests have been made and the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force (HCTF) is still searching for the suspects.

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, John Lea was discovered brutally murdered in his Hell’s Kitchen apartment. The NYPD immediately began investigating this case as a domestic violence-related homicide, focusing on Lea’s live-in lover, Justin Waller. Officers from the Midtown North Precinct apprehended Waller over the weekend in Manchester, Vermont where he allegedly confessed to Lea’s murder. AVP commends the NYPD and the officers of the Midtown North Precinct for their quick and effective handing of this case. We offer our deepest condolences and support to John Lea’s family and friends.

AVP was saddened and shocked to learn that John Lea was discovered brutally murdered in his Hell’s Kitchen apartment yesterday afternoon, Thursday, January 21, 2010. We offer our deepest condolences and support to his family and friends. AVP is disturbed to learn of allegations that the police are investigating this as domestic violence-related homicide and that the NYPD is currently searching for Lea’s live-in lover, identified as Justin Waller. AVP is working with local officials and will provide all support and assistance possible to resolve this tragic murder.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project is saddened and outraged to learn of another incident of hate violence – the third in as many weeks – which occurred in College Point, Queens on Friday. The victim, Jack Price, was reportedly beaten by two men as he went to the store and was hospitalized and is in serious condition as of Monday afternoon. One suspect has been arrested and charged with a hate crime and another suspect is being sought. This follows two other publically reported incidents of violence against gay men, including Blake Hayes who was assaulted with two friends in Hell’s Kitchen where the police reportedly refused to take an incident report, and Jesse Archer who alleges the police assaulted him in Grand Central.