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FBI, police canvass neighborhood after brutal attack on video

ATLANTA,None — Residents of southwest Atlanta and members of the gay community are calling for action after a group attack on a gay man.

Police and the FBI were back out at the JVC Grocery Deli in the Pittsburgh neighborhood Tuesday taking pictures of the crime scene.

Investigators also said they had stepped up patrols and canvassed the neighborhood looking for clues.

The video has sparked so much outrage and police sources said people in the community have been calling Crime Stoppers with tips in who was involved in the brutal attack.

"Your cowards and you're going to be caught period. Whether he was gay, straight, yellow, orange, black, white, the fact of the matter is he is a human being first and no human deserves to beat down like that," Devon Barrington Ward of "Change Atlanta" said.

Ward said his organization plans to help the young man, who police have identified as Brandon White, 20, of Atlanta, by extending counseling services to help him deal with the aftermath of the attack on Saturday.

"Moving forward we need to rally our powers that be, our elected officials … Georgia is one of the only place without hate crime legislation and that needs to stop. It's sad that something like this has to take place in order for us to probably get some traction. This, unfortunately, has to be a teachable moment," Ward said.

Channel 2 Action News talked with the victim's family. They said they're too upset to speak publicly.

Channel 2's Ryan Young learned the victim is in his 20's and was in the neighborhood visiting a family member when he was attacked outside the store.

In the video of the attack, eight men can be seen attacking the victim, hitting him again and again.

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Neighbors told Young people frequently hang out on the corner where the store is located and cause problems.

"We need tougher laws on the book so that this man can feel the need to come forward and not live his life in fear," Ward said.

Police want to hear from anyone with information on the attack. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. They are offering a $5,000 reward for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers can remain anonymous.
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