August 29, 2008 Arrest made in suspected hate attack

BOSTON (AP) - Boston police have arrested a 28-year-old
Framingham man accused of beating three gay men and their female
friend in a suspected hate attack.

Fabio Brandao was apprehended Friday and charged with assault
and battery with a deadly weapon. A police spokesman said
detectives are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime
and additional charges are possible.

The attack happened early Sunday morning in Boston's South End
as the victims were leaving a club.

The victims told police they were walking home when four men
shouted anti-gay slurs and attacked them. Police said one man was
beaten to the ground. A second suffered a gash above his right eye.

It was not immediately known if Brandao had an attorney.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)