Watch CBS News

Man Recalls 4 Marines Allegedly Beating Him Unconscious For Being Gay

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A man described to CBS2/KCAL9 the night four Marines beat him unconscious outside a bar popular among the gay community.

"I remember blacking out. All I remember is being put next to the curb," the man, who chose not to give his name, told reporter Stacey Butler.

"He starts pushing me and calling me f--. I told him I was gonna call police," the victim said.

The San Dimas resident said the four men beat him after they all left The Silver Fox in Long Beach early Sunday morning.

Now, he said he's afraid to show his face.

"I don't want them to see who I am. They have friends out there," the man said.

Police arrested the four Marines after they say the suspects beat the full-time film student until he passed out. They may be charged with a hate crime.

Charlie Harris was working in the bar and ran to help.

"You could hear the punches…it was bad," Harris said.

"You just saw fists, and muscles, and tattoos, and all those guys were on top of him," David, the victim's boyfriend, said. He said he was too shocked to move.

David watched, as his boyfriend lay unconscious on the ground, as one of the Marines turned on Charlie.

Harris said, "When I threw him off, his partner grabbed me from the shirt…" and dragged him on his back.

Harris reportedly fought the suspects until police arrived.

David believes Harris may have saved his boyfriend's life.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.