UPDATE: Suspects arrested in Sucuzhanay Attack.

CNN reported on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, that Hakim Scott was arrested and charged with second degree murder as a hate crime for his possible involvement in the death of Jose Sucuzhanay. Jose and his brother Romel were savagely beaten on December 7, 2008, and the assailant(s) was heard yelling anti-gay and ant-Latino slurs at the brothers. Jose suffered head injuries, and later passed. Today, The New York Times' City Room reports that a second suspect was taken into custody in Yonkers.

On December 14, 2008, Council Member James joined her colleagues in the City Council in a public mourning of this senseless crime. Tish commends Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly for their leadership and communication with the Bushwick community regarding this hate crime, and hopes that this tragedy will help bring much-needed attention to the work we all have left to do in ending prejudice and violence within our communities.