Police Seek Suspect In Downtown Austin Attack On Gay Couple

AUSTIN, TX — Police made arrests in connection to an aggravated assault incident in downtown Austin dating to January 2019 that left two people injured and has been categorized as a hate crime, officials said Wednesday. Police are also seeking a suspect who failed to show up to court.

The incident dates to Jan. 19, 2019, at around 2:30 a.m. when police officers responded to a report of two injured men at the corner of West 3rd Street and Congress Avenue. Both men were transported to an area hospital for treatment of their wounds.

Police identified the victims as a gay couple in initially announcing the arrests during a news conference last year. Moreover, the couple involved related their harrowing experience to media outlets at the time, saying the incident occurred shortly after they left the downtown bar where they had been celebrating a friend's birthday as they held hands. The men were subjected to homophobic slurs before being attacked, the victims told reporters at the time.

Previous coverage:

• 4 Arrests Made In Austin Gay Couple's Attack
• Gay Couple Attacked In Downtown Austin For Holding Hands

According to a police advisory, a witness described a verbal-turned-physical confrontation between the two victims and a group of four other men. Four suspects subsequently were arrested, including 23-year-old Frank Macias. Austin Police Department officials said they have been working with the Travis County District Attorney's Office to proceed in the case, and are seeking assistance in locating Macias — who has two outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — after he failed to appear in court.

Photo of Frank Macias via Austin Police Department.

In their advisory, police accused Macias of having recently made threatening comments against police on social media and the district attorney's office. As a result, police consider Macias dangerous.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Macias to contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers. Individuals can submit a tip online, utilize the Crime Stoppers App or call the tip line at 512-472-TIPS (8477). Those with information have the option to remain anonymous, police added. Those with information leading to the arrest of Macias could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

"We want to take this opportunity raise awareness about the APD Safe Place Program and to reiterate our commitment to the LGBTQ+ members of our community," police officials wrote in their advisory.