Austin Police Investigating Attack on Couple as Hate Crime

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Police in Austin say they've opened a hate-crime investigation into a weekend attack that resulted in a gay couple being hospitalized.

Investigators are checking surveillance video in the downtown area to identify a group of men they say beat Spencer Deehring and Tristan Perry early Saturday after the couple left a nightclub.

Deehring says the two were holding hands when a passing man made a derogatory comment. The two responded and Deehring says up to five men then attacked them.

He says he sustained a concussion and lacerations and that Perry suffered internal bleeding, a concussion and a broken nose.

Police say no suspects have yet been identified.