were attacked as they walked south on Halsted near Roscoe.
At around 10 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, two men and two women allegedly attacked the foursome as they were returning home after
dining on the strip.
John Carroll, Kirk Miller and their female friends Pinky and Kathy said they were followed by two men who were making odd
comments, including ‘Don’t look at me,’ but it was not clear who they were speaking to.
As the four approached the 7-11 parking lot at Roscoe, one of the men turned to say the comments directly to the group. When
one of the group said they did not have a problem with the man, he ‘snapped,’ said Carroll.
What happened next can be interpreted many ways, because the motivation for the attack was unknown. While the attackers did
not yell specific anti-gay comments, the ‘Don’t look at me’ combined with the attackers’ comments to police (‘We’re bisexual’) adds
fuel to the debate about whether the incident occurred in a heavily gay district for a reason. Was it some form of a gang initiation?
Troubled kids looking for trouble? Anti-gay attackers?
The alleged instigator, Nicholas Menna, 20, then reportedly said ‘Now you’re in trouble’ and got his two female friends from the 7-
11 parking lot.
As if on cue, the women attacked the other two females. When Carroll tried to intervene, he said Menna came after him. But one
male among the attackers seemed disinterested, and he stayed mostly away from Miller. This left Miller free to help the women, and to
urge bystanders to call police.
During the few minutes of the attack, Carroll, Pinky and Kathy (the two women are both nurses and prefer their real names not be
used) sustained injuries—Kathy eventually had a pin placed in her hand. Carroll was allegedly bitten and punched numerous times
over his body and in his face. Carroll said had police not arrived so quickly, he may have been injured worse severely.
Meanwhile, Kathy was on the ground, not fighting back, covering her head—but still being punched by the alleged attackers. Pinky
tried to fight back and was then double-teamed.
When police arrived, Carroll said they determined quickly who the aggressors were. In addition to Menna, Sonia Olvera, 18, and
Tiffany Jirav, 19, all three from Chicago, were charged with battery. Court has been set for June 26.
While no hate-crime or strong-arm robbery charges were added (one of the women allegedly tried to steal a purse), the four
victims said they hope to follow up with police and the state’s attorney’s office to discuss additional charges.
‘When the police arrived and asked what was going on, the people in the other group said ‘nothing, we’re all bisexual,” as if to
counter a perception of an anti-gay attack, Carroll said. ‘What was their motivation? I really don’t know, that’s a hard call. Were they in
the area for a reason? It seemed like a set up—an ambush, coordinated. It took just two seconds for him to call these girls,’ Carroll
said.
‘They all were in such a rage,’ Miller said.
As if to illustrate the reasons anti-gay hate-crime laws are needed, Carroll added that in his group, one of the woman is straight. >
Perception can mean non-gays are also targeted for harassment and violence.
Police Department spokeswoman Lori Cooper confirmed that no hate-crime charges are pending in the case.
Carroll and the others emphasized that the quick and forceful police response—with at least nine squad cars—helped avoid more
injuries. Having the Town Hall station just a few blocks aways decreases response time. The night of the attack, there was also a
Cubs home game—and night games have usually meant increased crime in the area.
Another thing the foursome took away was the experience of helpful bystanders. Miller said one man came and made his
presence known by placing down his bag. Kathy said someone helped her up and gave her his card to offer further assistance. A
lesbian couple spoke with police as witnesses.
Each victim said they were shocked this could happen on Halsted. Miller had just returned from the Rio de Janeiro, where crime
is rampant. ‘Who would have imagined?’ Pinky said. They also said they are committed to seeing this through the court system.
Clarification: In last week’s story by Lori Weiner on the Town Hall Save Our Station rally, it was stated that two men were convicted of
hate-crime charges in a case involving gay activist Lee Neubecker. In fact, the men were convicted of disorderly conduct and were
sentenced with community service.