Two club-goers were attacked over the weekend near Fort Worth’s gay clubs on South Jennings Avenue.
Cpl. Tracey Knight, LGBT liaison for the Fort Worth police, said two men reported being attacked near the Rainbow Lounge at 651 S. Jennings Ave. and Club Reflections, 604 S. Jennings Ave. on Friday.
Knight said the men were approached by four to five black men between the ages of 20 and 25 while walking to or leaving the clubs at 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning and the other at 10:45 p.m. that night.
During one assault, the men tried to take the man’s cell phone. Both suffered cuts and bruises with one requiring stitches.
Knight said there isn’t evidence of the attacks being hate crimes, but police have added extra patrol around the area and are still investigating them.
“The fact that there were similar instances by the same suspects two nights in a row is concerning,” Knight said. “The Fort Worth Police Department is taking precautions to keep citizens safe, as well as making bar staff and patrons aware of these incidents.”
Knight said she has already spoken to Fort Worth police Chief Jeffrey Halstead about the attacks, as well as openly gay Fort Worth Councilman Joel Burns, whose district includes the area. She said people should remain aware of their surroundings when going out.
“As always, people should be aware of their surroundings, park in well lit areas and walk in groups or pairs. Personal safety should always be taken seriously but especially so when you are in a known LGBT area, unfortunately this is the world we live in.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should call the Fort Worth Police Department or contact Knight at tracey.knight@fortworthtexas.gov.