Second Suspect Arrested in Queens Beating of Gay Man

UPDATE: Authorities have arrested Daniel Rodriguez at the home of a relative in Virginia. He was wanted in connection with the brutal beating of a gay man in College Point, Queens.

NOTE: Video report was filed before Rodriguez was apprehended.

The NYPD, U.S. marshals, and Norfolk police caught up to Rodriguez late Tuesday in Norfolk.

"There can never be true justice for Jack Price, the victim of a vicious anti-gay attack early Thursday morning near his home in College Point," Mayor Mike Bloomberg said in a statement. "Thankfully though, both suspects in the case have now been apprehended. … Hate crimes like this one are particularly distasteful and won't be tolerated in our city."

Meantime, earlier Tuesday Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced that Daniel Aleman, 26, was arraigned on a charge of second-degree assault as a hate crime relating to the alleged bias attack last week.

Jack Price, 49, remains hospitalized in serious condition and has been placed in a medically induced coma.

Police say the Aleman and Rodriguez taunted Price and yelled anti-gay slurs while he was in the store early Friday. When he left, police say they attacked him and stomped on him.

"When someone is attacked for being who they are, and for being proud of who they are, it is clear that hatred and bigotry is the motive," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "This assault will not be tolerated by New Yorkers. My thoughts and prayers are with Jack Price and his family."

The police department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.

Earlier Tuesday, Rodriguez's sister spoke exclusively to Fox 5 News. She said her brother wouldn't have even known the victim was gay and doesn't believe he would attack someone for their sexual orientation.

District Attorney Brown said, "As Americans, each of us is free to choose where and how we want to live our lives. An illustrative example of that freedom is clearly Queens County, the most culturally diverse county in the nation. Crimes of hate will never be tolerated here. When they do, regrettably, occur, they will be condemned in the strongest possible terms and those responsible will be brought to justice to answer for their actions."

Aleman, who was ordered held on $40,000 bond or $20,000 cash bail and to return to court on October 29, 2009, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.