‘I Should Not Feel Unsafe in My Own Neighborhood’

A Richmond, Virginia man is now speaking out publicly after his car receiving an anti-gay death threat message spray painted on his car. Police are investigating it as a hate crime. 18-year oldÂ Michael Bowman says he “broke down” when he saw the words “GAY MOVE DIE” on his SUV.

â€œI just broke down,â€ Bowman told WRIC. â€œI was like, this is 2017. We shouldnâ€™t be having these issues. I should not feel unsafe in my own neighborhood.â€

Bowman had to spend the night inÂ the hospital, suffering from an asthma attack after seeing the death threat.

â€œI was fine seeing the first word, but move? I was like, no, Iâ€™m not moving. Iâ€™m a fighter, not a quitter,â€ he said. â€œThen when I saw die, I was like, why would you even write that?â€

Police now have surveillance footage of the perpetrator vandalizing the car, and are asking the public for help. Anyone with information can callÂ (804)780-1000.

Virginia Pride’s president James Milner says when he saw the car, “I felt like I had been punched in the gut.” The organization is working to help Bowman raise funds to repair the damage.

â€œEverybody has stood up,â€ Milner told WRIC. â€œThere is this strong wall of support that is saying we will not let this happen in our community. This is wrong. Weâ€™re going to fight it. Weâ€™re going to support the person who was victimized and we are going to stand together to make sure this doesnâ€™t ever happen again.â€

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