Teen Charged for Attempting to Murder Stranger He Thought Was Gay

New Jersey's Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced last week that a teen from Baltimore has been charged with attempted murder and bias intimidation after the teen, back in June, allegedly beat and choked a man that he thought was gay.

Authorities arrested Jose Tobias Carranza Serrano, also known as Kevin Lopez, on June 23 for attempted homicide, bias intimidation, robbery, and aggravated assault, according to a press release.

On June 22, Serrano, 18, allegedly attacked the victim in a park in North Bergen, N.J. Authorities said in the release that Serrano had just met the victim and allegedly wanted to kill him for being gay.

Serrano allegedly punched and kicked the victim, knocking out some of the victim's teeth and causing several fractures. He then allegedly attempted to strangle the victim.

Serrano is also accused of taking the victim's phone and $8 in cash.

A passerby found the victim unconscious at 5 a.m. on June 22.

"This defendant is charged with attempting to kill a complete stranger because he thought the man was gay," said Attorney General Grewal in the release. "The victim was beaten and choked so badly that he was unconscious for several hours before a passerby found him and called for help."

The bias intimidation charge carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, and the attempted murder charge carries a sentence of 10-20 years in prison.

"Whether this type of hate-fueled violence is directed against the LGBTQ+ community or other groups, it is terribly destructive to society and we must push back against it in every way possible," Grewal said. "That, of course, includes aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who commit such crimes."