rights
NYPD Arrest Man Who Allegedly Hit Boy With Belt in Playground After Shouting Anti-Gay Slur
By Samantha Allen at them.
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
Over two months after police said a man shouted anti-gay slurs at a 12-year old boy on Manhattan’s Lower East side before striking him with a belt, a suspect has been taken into custody and charged with hate crimes.On Sunday, the NYPD arrested 37-year-old Brooklyn resident Kevin Maxwell and charged
Key takeaway On Sunday, the NYPD arrested 37-year-old Brooklyn resident Kevin Maxwell and charged him with second-degree assault, menacing, and acting in a manner injurious to a child, as the New York Daily News reported.
Why this matters
The arrest of Kevin Maxwell for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old boy with a belt after shouting anti-gay slurs highlights the ongoing issue of hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in New York City. With a reported nearly 70% year-over-year increase in hate crimes based on a victim's sexual orientation, this incident is part of a disturbing trend. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit has been actively involved in investigating such cases, and the department's release of a sketch in June demonstrates their efforts to solicit information from the public and bring perpetrators to justice. The fact that Maxwell's arrest follows several high-profile anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime arrests and prosecutions in the city suggests that law enforcement is taking these crimes seriously. As national resources like the Trevor Project crisis line and the National LGBTQ Task Force continue to provide support to LGBTQ+ individuals, it is crucial for cities like New York to maintain their focus on addressing and preventing hate crimes.
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: them. ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Over two months after police said a man shouted anti-gay slurs at a 12-year old boy on Manhattan’s Lower East side before striking him with a belt, a suspect has been taken into custody and charged with hate crimes.On Sunday, the NYPD arrested 37-year-old Brooklyn resident Kevin Maxwell and charged
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by them. and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samantha Allen at them.. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .