A 17-year-old boy in Michigan has been arrested for the murder of a 64-year-old gay man named Howard Brisendine. The teen will be charged as an adult for allegedly targeting Brisendine because of his sexuality. According to Detroit police, the teen used an online dating app to connect with Brisendine, went to his home in Detroit on September 24, stabbed him, took his car keys, and drove off in his vehicle.
Luis Mandujano, the owner of Gigi’s, a gay nightclub where Brisendine worked, discovered Brisendine’s body with multiple stab wounds after he failed to show up for work. Brisendine’s brother believes the killing was a hate crime, as he could only identify his brother by a tattoo on his arm due to the severity of the injuries.
The teen, who also stole Brisendine’s car, was apprehended on October 1 and is facing murder charges. Prosecutor Kym Worthy described the crime as “heinous” and emphasized the prevalence of such incidents in the LGBTQ+ community. The Fair Michigan Justice Project, which supports prosecutors in LGBTQ+ homicide cases, highlighted the ongoing threats of violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
While prosecutors have not officially charged the teen with a hate crime, Detroit Police Sgt. Rebecca McKay mentioned that there is evidence to suggest it may have been motivated by hate. The FBI reported an increase in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community in 2023, with many attributing the rise to inflammatory language from far-right politicians.
An attorney representing the teen has not yet commented on the case, and the teen is scheduled to appear in court on October 15. The tragic incident underscores the importance of addressing hate crimes and protecting marginalized communities.
