NYPD hunts for suspects in anti-gay, anti-Hispanic crime

Jose Sucuzhanay was attacked as he walked arm-in-arm with his 38-year-old brother early Sunday in Brooklyn. He had been listed in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery at Elmhurst Hospital.

Family members held a news conference at midday Tuesday outside the Queens hospital to say he was clinging to life and the family had to make an important decision about what to do.

A law enforcement official, however, said that Sucuzhanay had been declared brain dead and was taken off life support Tuesday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The three assailants were still being sought.

The attack came less than three weeks after seven Long Island teenagers were charged in the fatal stabbing of another immigrant from Ecuador. Prosecutors said the defendants had been hanging out with friends when someone suggested they go find a Hispanic person to attack.

  See NYPD hunts for suspects in anti-gay, anti-Hispanic crime
New York Daily News, NY -