Gay Man Says Group of 7 Beat Him Unconscious While Camping

A gay man claims he is the victim of a horrific group attack.

Shane Daum, 43, said he was camping with his dog just north of Summerland, British Columbia, about a month ago when a group of seven men surrounded his site and assaulted him.

In the course of being beaten, Daum "lost consciousness four or five times," he told Global News, a division of the Canadian Global Television Network. "When I finally came to again, I was begging for my life." The men were holding his dog during the attack, he said.

Daum claimed the attack is a hate crime; the men, he said, knew he was gay because they had seen him at a local grocery store with his ex-boyfriend and hurled antigay slurs in their attack.

"They were calling me a faggot, a pedophile because my then-boyfriend, he's younger, but he looks way younger [than he is]," said Daum.

A nearby camper called the police. Cpl. James Grandy, an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, later confirmed the assault to Global News. "However, on that day, there was insufficient evidence to arrest any particular person, which included no independent witnesses to identify any particular accused at the time," Grandy said in an email.

Daum was transported to a local hospital, where he said he was treated for a mild concussion. NowDaum said he is suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. He also feels "let down by the whole system," as no arrests have been made yet.

"What did the RCMP do with the individuals? Nothing, just took their names and that was it," Daum told Global News. "I was told there is their story and there is mine."

The RCMP has requested that Daum come into the station to give another statement for the investigation, which is ongoing. Daum is considering opening a civil suit against his alleged attackers.

The experience has left the Summerland resident rattled in a community that he has lived in for 14 years.

"[I'm] hurt beyond all meaning," Daum said. "It's hard enough coming out and just trying to get accepted."