Submitted by HerAirness t3_y1epzo in Connecticut
https://www.troupe429.com/support
PLEASE NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT AND IMAGERY BELOW
Nicholas (9/23/22)
A message from Casey, husband to Nicholas and Co-owner of Troupe429, a Connecticut gay bar:
Troupe429 is a bar that welcomes all people who welcome all. We hope it has enriched your life. We hope it’s a place you can call your second home - or even your first home. We hope it continues to be all of that for you.
On the evening of Friday, September 23, 2022, Nicholas and I were violently attacked in front of our bar in what we believe was a hate crime. Unfortunately, we now believe that the violent assault is being mishandled by the Norwalk Police Department and the City of Norwalk. As of October 11, nearly two and a half weeks after the assault, no charges have been filed, nor has the suspect been arrested.
We are asking for your help and support in seeking justice for Nicholas.
Over the past two weeks, the Norwalk Police have been given video security footage and a transcript, our medical records - and I have emailed, called and visited the Norwalk Police Station every night last week begging for updates. Over the past two weeks I have received zero updates and based on our conversations with people who were there the night of the attack, the Norwalk Police have not sought out nor spoken to any of the many eye-witnesses.
On the night of the attack, the male suspect came to our gay bar during a drag show. During his time inside the gay bar, he repeatedly harassed and made several female patrons and our staff uncomfortable. While at the venue, he ordered 1 drink, that he did not finish, and was respectfully escorted outside the venue in order to maintain a safe environment for our patrons and our staff inside.
When the suspect would not leave the doorway, Nicholas (my husband, and co-owner) was informed of the situation and went to the door to evaluate and de-escalate the situation. Nicholas pleaded with him to peacefully leave the area. The suspect repeatedly made disparaging statements about the bar and the people inside it, and use derogatory and anti-LGBTQ words.
Then suddenly, the suspect became violent. He punched Nicholas repeatedly, clawed at his chest, tore the cross necklace from his neck, and ripped his clothes.
I was then able to restrain the suspect, while Nicholas immediately called 911. After the suspect appeared to calm down, I let him go, which is when he spun and punched me in the throat, closing my airway, and causing me to fall.
Trying to stop him from attacking me, Nicholas tried to grab the suspect and was repeatedly punched in the right side of his face. His face around his eye and cheek was torn open, requiring a trip to the emergency room, and surgery of over 50 stitches across his face and eye totaling $20,000 in plastic surgery.
Police arrived on the scene and handcuffed the suspect. The suspect entered a police vehicle and we were told that he was taken to the hospital for a pre-existing medical condition. We are unclear how the Norwalk Police handled the suspect after this, but we know he was not arrested. We also believe the suspect had a previous warrant out for his arrest, from a prior assault in Connecticut from another town He was not charged on September 23 for our assaults and was not taken into custody, and as far as we know, has faced no consequences.
As owners of Troupe429, we are thankful that our staff and patrons were unharmed. However, we are deeply broken. The psychological harm that this assault has caused is significant and we demand justice.
There is no place for hateful violence in Connecticut.
Thank you for reading, Casey
co-owner of Troupe429 Norwalk, CT
If you would like to help: Please contact the Norwalk Police Department and request they arrest the suspect and charge him with all applicable charges.
You can text to 847411: "NORWALKPD Arrest the suspect for the violent hate crime at Troupe429 on 9/23/22"
You can call Norwalk Police Phone: 203-854-3000 Reference case number: #22-37740
