Police continue to investigate alleged hate crime in Palm Springs

Update: Palm Springs police confirm they are investigating the attack on George Zander and his husband as a hate crime. In a news release to the media, they say the two suspects left in a dark-colored vehicle, possibly a sedan.

Suspect one is described as a Caucasian man in his late 20’s, with a stocky build and red or dark short hair. He was wearing a white tank top and possibly has freckles on his face and tattoos on his arms, according to police.

The second suspect is described only as a Caucasian man.

Officers ask anyone who witnessed the attack to call PSPD at (760) 323-8116 or Crimestoppers at 760-341-7867 (STOP).

(original story)

A local gay rights activist, who is also a committee member and active volunteer of the Desert Stonewall Democrats, is recovering from hip surgery after being attacked in an alleged hate crime.

According to the DSD Facebook page, 71-year-old George Zander was leaving the nightclub Hunters on Arenas Road with his husband, Chris, on Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when they were both assaulted.

They were holding hands and someone began yelling anti-gay slurs at them. The suspect allegedly got into an altercation and Chris told him he didn’t want to fight. According to the DSD report, the suspect returned with two friends and sneaked up behind Chris and hit him on the back of the head with a bottle.

DSD officials said Chris suffered a concussion and was partially knocked unconscious. They said he required staples in the back of his head and stitches to his lip.

George was pushed down during the scuffle and broke his hip. Both men were taken to Desert Regional Medical Center. Chris was released and George underwent surgery. He was out of surgery Tuesday night and was resting well.

They said the Palm Springs Police Department is investigating the assault. News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 have reached out to police but they haven’t confirmed the information with us yet.

Desert Stonewall Democrats is setting up a donation link, checking in with George at the hospital as well as calling on city leaders and staff about the incident, according to the release. A donor is willing to ‘match’ a rewards fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the folks involved, up to $5,000 each to create a $10,000 reward fund.