Crime & Safety
Teen Smashes Stonewall Inn's Window, Neon Sign: NYPD
A 19-year-old smashed the historic bar's front window with a baseball bat after he was booted from the tavern.
WEST VILLAGE, NY — A teenager smashed The Stonewall Inn's front window after he was kicked out of the historic gay bar Saturday morning, police said.
William Gomez, 19, allegedly bashed the landmarked tavern's window and iconic neon sign with a baseball bat at about 4:30 a.m., causing nearly $7,000 worth of damage, authorities said. Gomez was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal mischief.
The tavern's window was fixed by Sunday and the red neon sign is temporarily replaced with a paper banner.
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The 1969 riots that happened at the tavern are considered a watershed moment for LGBTQ rights and earned the watering hole a national landmarks designation in 2016.
Courtesy of Caroline Spivack/Patch
Find out what's happening in West Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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