No Bail for Revere Beach Hate Crime Attack Suspect

24-year-old Gianpaolo Cerretani was arrested by state police Sunday at Revere Beach

A Massachusetts man accused of shouting racial slurs and swinging a hammer at a group of black and Latino young men and teenagers at the beach over the weekend is being held without bail after his arraignment Monday.

Twenty-four-year-old Gianpaolo Cerretani was arrested by state police around 4:20 p.m. Sunday at Revere Beach, just outside of Boston. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing during his arraignment in Chelsea District Court.

Cerretani had allegedly taken a football from a young child. Massachusetts State Police said a group of young men and teenagers took the football back and gave it to the child.

At some point, authorities say Cerretani began swinging a 12-inch long hammer at the group, while shouting racial slurs. An 18-year-old was hit in the arm as he raised his hands to shield his head.

The group eventually subdued Cerretani, who is also accused of resisting arrest, making threats to troopers and shouting a racial slur at a hospital security guard.

Prosecutors said Cerretani was shirtless and covered in blood from a wound to his head when troopers arrived. They said he smelled of alcohol and his eyes were red and bloodshot.

He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, threats to commit a crime, a civil rights violation, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Cerretani is being represented by attorney Richard Barrett, who was not immediately available for comment.

A man who identified himself to necn as Cerretani's roommate was also arrested during Monday's arraignment on a contempt of court charge after yelling out during proceedings.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us