Four Teens
Arrested After Attack at Gay Shelter

Four teenagers have been arrested on charges that they harassed and struck a priest who runs a Queens, N.Y., shelter for transgender and gay youth on Monday night, reported The New York Times.

Some of the shelter's residents were also attacked, but suffered only minor injuries.

The priest, the Reverend Louis Braxton Jr., said he was returning to the shelter, Carmen's Place, when he was attacked.

Father Braxton, the shelter's director, said he shouted at the attackers and they fled. But four youths returned soon afterward, brandishing a paint bucket, a miter box, steel brackets, and a belt.

According to the Times, Father Braxton said the group used obscenities and homophobic and antitransgender slurs.

Three of the suspects were identified by the police as Shara Mozie, 17; Tyreek Childs, 17; and Trevaughn Payne, 16. The name of the fourth suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was not released because he will likely be charged as a juvenile.

The three teenagers faced assault, weapons, and harassment charges. (The Advocate)