Hate Crime Investigation Underway After Mattapan Attack on Gay Couple

Mattapan, Boston, September 22, 2025

News Summary

Boston police are investigating a possible hate crime following an incident where a gay couple was attacked in Mattapan. The couple reported being verbally assaulted before a physical confrontation ensued with a group of men. One victim was injured, reportedly struck with a baseball bat. As the Boston Police Department’s Civil Rights Division leads the investigation, officials are urging witnesses to come forward. Hate against the LGBTQ+ community remains intolerable in the city.

Boston

Possible hate crime investigated after attack on gay couple in Mattapan

What happened: The incident occurred on September 13 at around 7:45 PM. Boston police arrived at 550 River Street in response to reports of a fight. One victim reported that he and his partner were walking to a convenience store when a group of men began hurling anti-homosexual comments towards them. A verbal dispute started after the couple approached the group of men. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation involving the group of men and the couple.

Injuries and response: Two individuals from the group were observed swinging unidentified objects at the victims. One victim claimed that his partner was struck in the back of the head with a baseball bat during the attack. Police found the injured victim lying in a parking lot, bleeding from the back of his head. The injured victim was evaluated on the scene and subsequently transported to Beth Israel Hospital for further evaluation; his current condition is unknown. The details regarding the other partner’s injuries remain unclear.

Investigation status: No suspects or arrests have been announced by the police to date. The Boston Police Department’s Civil Rights Division is conducting the investigation. A spokesperson for the City of Boston said that hate is never tolerated in Boston and encouraged anyone with information to contact the police. The incident is being investigated as a suspected hate crime.

Supporting details

Boston police responded after receiving reports of a fight at the address listed as 550 River Street, in the neighborhood of Mattapan. According to a victim’s account, the incident began with anti-homosexual comments directed at the couple. When the couple approached the group, a verbal dispute began and then became physical. Observers reported two people in the group swinging unidentified objects during the scuffle. Officers located an injured person in a nearby parking lot with a head wound and provided on-scene evaluation before arranging transport to a local hospital. Investigators have not publicly identified suspects or made any arrests.

What authorities are doing

The Boston Police Department’s Civil Rights Division has taken the lead on the investigation, treating the incident as a suspected hate crime. City officials have urged anyone with information to contact the police and assist investigators. At this stage, investigators are gathering witness statements, reviewing physical evidence, and pursuing leads to identify suspects. No further details about the victims’ conditions or the identities of those involved have been released.

Background and context

Incidents that are investigated as hate crimes are typically screened by specialized units such as the Civil Rights Division to determine whether criminal acts were motivated by bias. When bias is suspected, investigators collect additional context and seek corroborating statements and evidence to determine appropriate charges. Transport of injured parties to medical facilities follows standard emergency protocols; in this case, the injured victim was taken to Beth Israel Hospital for further evaluation.

Key facts (concise list)

• The incident occurred on September 13 at around 7:45 PM.
• Boston police arrived at 550 River Street in response to reports of a fight.
• One victim reported that he and his partner were walking to a convenience store when a group of men began hurling anti-homosexual comments towards them.
• A verbal dispute started after the couple approached the group of men.
• The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation involving the group of men and the couple.
• Two individuals from the group were observed swinging unidentified objects at the victims.
• One victim claimed that his partner was struck in the back of the head with a baseball bat during the attack.
• Police found the injured victim lying in a parking lot, bleeding from the back of his head.
• The injured victim was evaluated on the scene and subsequently transported to Beth Israel Hospital for further evaluation; his current condition is unknown.
• The details regarding the other partner’s injuries remain unclear.
• No suspects or arrests have been announced by the police to date.
• The Boston Police Department’s Civil Rights Division is conducting the investigation.
• A spokesperson for the City of Boston said that hate is never tolerated in Boston and encouraged anyone with information to contact the police.
• The incident is being investigated as a suspected hate crime.

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Additional Resources

• WCVB News
• Wikipedia: Hate Crime
• CBS News
• Google Search: Boston gay couple attack
• Boston 25 News
• Google Scholar: Hate Crime Investigation
• Boston.com
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hate Crime
• The Boston Globe
• Google News: Gay Couple Attack Mattapan

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