For Immediate Release August 6, 2002 GAY MAN FOUND BRUTALLY MURDERED IN THE BRONX
New York - August 6 – Rodney Velasquez, a 26 year-old Latino, gay man was found murdered in his Bronx apartment on August 4th. Initial reports indicate that Mr. Velasquez was stabbed in the back multiple times in his bathtub, although it is believed that he was asphyxiated before he was stabbed.
“There are some indications that this may have been a hate-motivated murder based on the graphic bias-related evidence at the murder scene,” said Diane Dolan-Soto, CSW, AVP’s Director of Client Services. “Nevertheless, the NYPD is clearly exploring additional scenarios in this case, including the possibility of domestic violence as the motive, and we think it’s very important to give them some time to do a proper and thorough investigation,” continued Dolan-Soto.
“This is the second murder in the last few weeks that the community’s experienced (Paola Matos, a transgender woman, was found strangled in her Bay Ridge apartment little more than a week ago), and as we found in the first incident, these tragedies are often much more complicated than they first appear. However, once it does become clear what happened to Mr. Velasquez, the community will respond accordingly,” said Clarence Patton, AVP’s Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy. “Currently, we’re in ongoing contact with the police and receiving updated information as it becomes available, as well as in contact with the community to let folks know what’s happened and to hopefully get back any information they might have that would be helpful in shedding some light on this horrific murder. Through NYPD we’ve also made ourselves available to Rodney’s family and friends if they need counseling or other assistance,” said Patton.
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the nation's largest crime-victim service agency for the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For twenty years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP educates the public about violence against or within our communities and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people.
AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through our 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).
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