NYC gay bar attacked several times, NYPD questioning possible suspect

NEW YORK - A Manhattan gay bar has been attacked several times, with the attacker throwing bricks at its windows while patrons were inside.

The incidents have taken place at VERS on 9th Ave. in Hell's Kitchen. The latest came on Nov. 19. It followed similar incidents on Nov. 13 and Nov. 15.

The NYPD said no one was hurt in the incidents.

Owner David DeParolesa is convinced he was targeted.

"I'm still feeling unnerved — I'm still feeling concerned about a person who is out there who has a potential of doing this again," DeParolesa said. 

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The NYPD was questioning a person of interest on Tuesday morning in connection with the incidents. Police said they could not confirm the same man was behind all the attacks.

"The third break happened two hours after I replaced the window," DeParolesa said. "Which makes me believe the person saw that the window was replaced and came and wanted to smash it again."

NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher released security camera footage of one of the incidents on Twitter. It shows the man walking up, looking inside, and then throwing the brick at a window. The camera shows several shocked women inside reacting to the attack.

He described the incidents as hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. 

"The video is so chilling because it's someone committing such a senseless, destructive act so calmly and coolly," Bottcher told FOX 5 NY.

The New York City Police Department has not classified the incidents as bias crimes.

DeParolesa said that the FBI has contacted him for information about the incidents.