US: 16-year-old charged with assault over brutal attack at Detroit pride event
A 16-year-old has appeared in court charged with assault, following a violent attack at Motor City Pride in Detroit.
Howard, who is a hairdresser, was left with cuts on his face, a bruised and bloody eye, and a broken finger, rendering him unable to work.
According to Detroit News, the teen, who has been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm and aggravated assault, appeared before Wayne County Juvenile Court today
Assistant prosecutor Jeff Plymale said: “In this case, the teen was taking away someone’s dignity… taking away someone’s right to be a regular citizen here in Detroit, Michigan.
“He shouldn’t have had to be physically beaten down in public.”
Plymale said that before the attack, the teen had shouted gay slurs at Howard.
Defence lawyer Jeffrey Schwartz said the teen had fallen in with a bad group.
He said: “From what I understand, he was the youngest involved and made a bad decision to follow some adults there.”
The teen, who had tested positive for marijuana use, and who has also been charged with an unrelated carjacking, was set a $20,000 bond.
Watch video of the attack below (WARNING: Violent content):
