Gloucester police seek to lay charges against three boys who allegedly attacked trans teenager

The Gloucester Police Department is investigating assault and battery charges against three young men involved in an alleged assault on a transgender teenager, authorities announced Friday.

police announced Following the conclusion of the investigation into the attack that took place in late August, a criminal complaint was filed with the Gloucester Children’s Court.

The teens, two 17-years-old and one 16-years-old, will attend a hearing where the clerk of the magistrate will determine whether there is probable cause for charges to proceed, according to police.

The decision to charge came after a “detailed, months-long investigation” by Gloucester Police detectives, the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police, authorities said.

According to the statement, on Aug. 30, police were called to the Dogtown Road area and began investigating an attack at a party in the woods, where a young male was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Police said they determined that all of the people involved knew each other.

According to the victim, the accused were shouting insults while attacking her for being transgender. NBC 10 Boston reported.

However, according to the news channel, defense attorney Mark Randazza claimed that the teens were defending themselves after the alleged victim threatened them with a knife.

Due to hate crime allegations, Gloucester Police assigned a specially trained hate crime investigator to the case, the police department said.

But police said the evidence “ultimately does not support hate crime charges.”

“Our department conducted a meticulous, thorough and compassionate investigation, and the resulting charges are consistent with the evidence,” Police Chief Edward Conley said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with the victim who suffered serious injuries in this attack.”

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Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news boston.comCovering breaking news, crime and politics in New England.

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