A knife-wielding man in pink pants ripped down and carved up an LGBTQ pride flag hanging from a Queens sports bar during an act of anti-gay vandalism, police said Wednesday.
Armed with surveillance images of the suspect, cops are hoping to locate the man who a month ago yanked down the flag hanging from Murphy’s Sports Bar on 23rd Ave. near 45th St. in Astoria.
The vandal was caught on camera tearing down the flag at about 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 6. He then went around the corner, pulled a knife, and cut the flag into pieces.
Afterward, the same man repeatedly called and messaged the bar, threatening workers with “anti-gay slurs,” police said. Cops did not disclose what was said to bar employees.
Attempts to reach the bar for comment were unsuccessful Wednesday. Murphy’s Bar opened in September 2023, about a year before the vandalism took place.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.
Detectives recovered the surveillance footage and are asking anyone with information regarding the vandal’s whereabouts to come forward.
The suspect is described as white with short brown hair. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black T-shirt, pink pants and white shoes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
