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Paterson man stabbed victim in anti-gay hate crime, authorities say | Paterson Times

Paterson man stabbed victim in anti-gay hate crime, authorities say

Damian-Padilla

A man allegedly uttered several anti-gay slurs before stabbing a victim on Fair Street early Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

Damian Padilla, 42, of Paterson, has been arrested and charged with first-degree bias intimidation, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police received reports a 35-year-old male and a 41-year-old female were assaulted with a knife in the vicinity of 7-11 Fair Street in Paterson. At approximately 3:48 a.m., Paterson Police Officers were flagged down by the male victim, who had sustained non-fatal stab wounds. The female victim, who had a laceration to her left leg, was discovered shortly afterward in the same area. Both victims were transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center for medical attention.

Authorities were provided with a description of the suspect, leading to Padilla’s in the vicinity by Deputies from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. Following an investigation, the assailant responsible for stabbing the male victim was identified as Padilla. The investigation revealed that prior to and during the incident, Padilla had directed several anti-gay slurs at the male victim while stabbing him multiple times.

Authorities did not say if Padilla was responsible for stabbing the female victim.

Padilla could face decades in prison if convicted on the charges.

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