Friday, February 29, 2008
Vigil held for openly gay teen, search continues for shooters
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Family, friends and the members of the gay and lesbian community held a memorial service to remember a teenager who was gunned down last week possibly because he was wearing a dress at the time.
Mourners remembered Simmie Williams Jr. Thursday afternoon on the 1000 block of Sistrunk Boulevard, the same corner where two young men killed him a week ago. "We just want to know why someone would do that to him when he was a very quiet person, and he never talked to anybody," said Shannon Terry.
Many gay activists attended Williams' service to talk about recent attacks on members of the gay community in Broward County. "We have to end the violence that's happening against marginalizing invulnerable populations that don't have the voice and protection in Tallahassee," said Michael Emanuel Rajner.
Authorities suspect the two unknown men shot and killed the 17-year-old possibly because of the fact he had donned women's clothing and was openly gay.
Just 24 hours before two men gunned down Williams, Melbourne Brunner was also physically and verbally attacked by a man at a restaurant near Las Olas. Brunner expressed his sorrow to Williams' family at the service. "I am so sorry that the city and the hate has done something like this to you and your family," said Brunner.
Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating Brunner's attack as a hate crime, but can't classify William's death as one. "There are certain elements of a crime that have to be proven in order to make it a hate crime," said Sergeant Frank Sousa of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. "At this point, we don't have anything to lead us into that direction."
A $15,000 reward has been offered for any information leading authorities to the men responsible for Williams' murder.
Brunner's attack also remains unsolved. Authorities are looking for a newer model, four-door Toyota Tacoma with a metallic green color, chrome rims, a black roll bar and a black bed cover. The attacker is described as a white male, in his early 30s, with a muscular build, clean-cut hair, standing about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. In his case, a $5,000 reward has been offered by the restaurant's owner for the capture of his attacker.
If you have any information on either of these attacks, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
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