QUEENS – Police are calling the killing of a teen stomped to death at a Queens birthday party a possible hate crime.
Anthony Collao, 18, was at a Woodhaven party when four teens stormed in after midnight Saturday, yelling, “This is my hood” and anti-gay slurs.
Collao tried to escape the bash, reportedly hosted by two gay men.
The four teens who attacked him had a cane and chrome bat, cornering him by a car and beating him.
Cops found the four alleged assailants with blood on their clothing. According to the Queens District Attorney’s office, one was wearing an Atlanta Braves baseball cap that belonged to Collao.
Collao died Monday, after which the four teens were charged with manslaughter. Nolis Ogando, Luis Tabales, Alex Velez and Christopher Lozada, all 16- and 17-years old, were also charged with gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
The suspects’ families told reporters they were good students in the wrong place.
Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter at @AlisonatMetro.
