Supporters Pray For Alleged Hate Crime Victim
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Friends, family and community members gathered Sunday in support of a Mexican immigrant who was the victim of an alleged hate crime.
The congregation at Primitive Christian Church in Manhattan's Lower Manhattan prayed and collected money for 37-year-old Mario Vera, seen above.
Police say Vera was attacked last month after leaving a food pantry at the church.
When he arrived home, police say he told his wife a group of men beat him while yelling anti-Mexican slurs at him.
Vera suffered a brain injury and remembers little else about the attack.
"He still doesn't remember. He doesn't speak, he doesn't hear, he doesn't recognize his own family," said family friend Walter Sinche.
Vera remains in Beth Israel Hospital.
The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task force is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. A $12,000 reward for information is being offered.