A south Florida man has been charged with beating a man during a bar fight because he was gay.
John Richard Shannon was out with friends in West Palm Beach last month when he started arguing with another man he accused of being a homosexual. According to the police report, Shannon used several homophobic slurs and told the victim that a cast on his arm was because he had beaten up another homosexual.
When the victim defended himself Shannon began screaming until he was kicked out. Police said he sneaked back in the bar and punched the man in the face with his cast.
On Thursday, Shannon admitted he punched the man and may have uttered the homophobic slur.
He is charged with aggravated battery, with the enhanced upgrade of “evidencing prejudice while committing offense.”
