APD offers reward in unsolved anti-gay assault in Midtown

• Joeff Davis/CL File

Atlanta Police want help finding a person who allegedly assaulted a gay man walking in Midtown last year.

On March 7, 2014, a male suspect reportedly wearing a red shirt and Atlanta Braves hat approached James Reed, yelled anti-gay slurs, and punched him in the back of his head near the intersection of 11th and Juniper streets. Reed, a gay male who was walking with his partner, was knocked into the street as traffic approached.

Following the incident, which was filmed on a Midtown Blue video surveillance camera, the suspect got into a silver BMW and fled the scene. Reed’s partner, Better Georgia Executive Director Bryan Long, recently issued a statement questioning why the case remained unsolved nearly 10 months after the assault happened.

"I firmly believe that the criminal justice system can and should do more to resolve this case," Long said in the statement. "I have no doubt that the driver of the car knows the name of his passenger and can help the police bring this case to a close and achieve justice for me and my partner."

Crime Stoppers has offered an up-to $2,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and indictment. Tips can be submitted anonymously at 404-577-TIPS or at crimestoppersatlanta.org.