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Ernie Barnes (left) and Jermon Barnes are shown. (Twitter photo/@MCSOPIO)

A local DJ and gay activist was targeted due to his sexual orientation when he was assaulted on Friday morning, police said.

Phoenix Police are currently investigating the assault on DJ Austin Head and a friend that occurred when they left a bar near Central and Osborn around 2 a.m.

"It is their belief perhaps -- or at least an undertone -- that they may have been targeted based on their sexual orientation," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Steve Martos.

Two men, 22-year-old Jermon Barnes and 24-year-old Ernie Barnes, were arrested in the case. They are both facing aggravated assault charges.

Martha Maurer, News Editor

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  • Abuse
    USCitizen wrote...
    Their Momma....
    November 13, 2012 2:39 pm
    must be proud of these two upstanding citizens!
  • Abuse
    Vete Ya wrote...
    Jumping to conclusions
    November 13, 2012 3:16 pm
    Still no evidence that this is a hate crime because Austin is gay, he just might be a smart arse and asked for it. Just because you're g a y and you get your arse kicked doesn't mean it's a hate crime, but then again, I usually don't like the person I'm punching either, so is it hate or just a confrontation.
  • Abuse
    US_Nomad wrote...
    They look like...
    November 13, 2012 6:07 pm
    ...they could be Obama's sons.
  • Abuse
    Azdawg4772 wrote...
    Stop the HATE
    November 13, 2012 6:33 pm
    Really not into this kind of thing with "GLBTQ" people, but we are all God's children, and need to accept this, even though I am a happy married man to a woman with three wonderful sons!!! Fells sorry for the youth today that they are growing up with the President that accepts this! NO NEED TO FIGHT!!! You get hurt and pain for awhile, then you are better and live your life! WHAT DOES HITTING OR VIOLENCE DO???? IT IS SOMETHING JOE LOVES-----$$$$$$$$!!!!!!
    Daniel Dugan
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Ok Nomad
    November 14, 2012 10:50 am
    that was actually funny. To the real issue here though, I hope the police have an actual reason to say this assault was due to his sexual orientation. Why are they so quick to say it's because DJ Austin Head is gay? It could be racially motivated because DJ Austin Head is white? It could be these two men are just full of rage and anger? I haven't seen proof yet for their claim and that is wrong and only works to divide people.
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
  • Abuse
    Rjnotjonny wrote...
    if it does turn out that
    November 14, 2012 11:26 am
    The assault was only sexual orientation related and did not involve any further provocation from either side, I believe a good just punishment would be for these two to get a good sexual assault from a couple gays.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    Vete Ya
    November 14, 2012 1:52 pm
    You get more attention if you say it was a hate-crime as opposed to just a normal assault. There's no such thing as bad publicity.
  • 1

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