LAS VEGAS, NV – On December 6, a violent incident occurred in an unexpected place in the city’s Arts District, adding to the day’s already tragic events. The incident involved a group of bicyclists who attacked a man, Gary Costa, at a busy intersection in downtown Las Vegas.
Gary Costa, a 62-year-old executive director of the local nonprofit Golden Rainbow, was driving his car when he was surrounded and attacked by the group of bicyclists, resulting in severe injuries and damage to his vehicle. Costa described the attack as both a violent battery and a hate crime, as the assailants hurled homophobic slurs at him during the assault.
Despite Costa’s report and injuries, no arrests have been made in connection to the incident, leaving him in fear for his safety. The group of bicyclists, who organize weekly rides through social media, has attracted police attention due to its disregard for traffic laws and public safety.
In response to the incident, police have increased their presence during the group rides and have enforced traffic violations to prevent further violence from occurring. However, the victim, Costa, believes there is a double standard in how the authorities handle this group compared to other organized events in the city.
Furthermore, Costa plans to pursue legal action against the City of Las Vegas for allowing the group rides to continue unabated and for the lack of progress in finding his attackers. The city has acknowledged the situation and is working with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to address the ongoing issues associated with the bicycling group.
As of now, the perpetrators remain at large while Costa continues to recover from his injuries, hoping for justice and a safer environment for both himself and the community.