Bronx assault on transgender woman being investigated as hate crime

MELROSE (WABC) -- Police in the Bronx are looking for two men who attacked a transgender woman, and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

Authorities are hoping images of the suspects will lead to arrests.

The photos were taken July 23 at a deli on East 149th Street in the Melrose section.

Investigators say that early that morning, around 2:30 a.m., the pair followed the woman inside the bodega and started punching her after making anti-gay comments.

The victim suffered cuts to her lips and one of her ears.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.