Attacker Sketch Released In Hate Crime Investigation

BOULDER, Colo. -- Boulder police are investigating a second-degree assault as a possible hate crime after a woman said she was punched and kicked by two men when she told them she was gay.

The incident happened just before 3 a.m. Wednesday near the Pearl Street Mall where the woman said she met the two men and offered them a place to stay for the night. She said the men then made sexual comments to her, at which time she told the men she was a lesbian.

Shortly after, the victim said she was attacked by one of the men, who punched her in the face and kicked her after she fell to the ground.

The woman suffered serious facial injuries, police said. She is a 21-year-old undergraduate student at Naropa University in Boulder.

The composite drawing is of the blond attacker in the case. The victim described both men as between 18 and 21 years of age, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and skinny.

The other attacker is described as having dark hair and may have a name beginning with the letter "D," or is possibly named Dominick.

While both the advocacy group, Boulder Pride, and the University of Colorado, called the incident a hate crime, the Boulder Police Department said it is investigating the attack as possibly "bias motivated."

Anyone with information about the assault or the attackers is asked to contact Boulder investigators at 303-441-3330. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Boulder County Crime Stoppers at 303-440-STOP or submit tips at www.crimeshurt.com.

There is a $1,000 reward available to anyone submitting tips that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect in this case.

The victim is expected to speak at a peaceful rally Friday at Boulder City Hall. The march will leave the Boulder Pride Community Center at 5 p.m. and proceed to the attack site at 13th Street and Canyon Boulevard. The march will finish at City Hall at Canyon Boulevard and Broadway where the victim will address the community.

The University of Colorado at Boulder released a statement Thursday saying, "We condemn the hate crime that occurred in Boulder early Wednesday morning. Homophobia and violence have no place in our community, or any community, and run counter to the human values represented by both CU Boulder and Naropa University."

A spokesman for the university said the CU Boulder community supports the victim and called the incident "outrageous."

CU is offering counseling and psychological services to anyone in the community as a support resource. For more information, call 303-492-6766.

Boulder's mayor also released a statement Thursday saying, "We are saddened and appalled by this event," said Boulder Mayor Mark Ruzzin. "In Boulder, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of not just tolerance, but to the belief that diversity enhances our community and is to be embraced and celebrated."