News Summary
An 18-year-old New Orleans teenager, DeShan Joseph Jr., was brutally assaulted during a homophobic attack in the French Quarter. The attack, occurring near Louis Armstrong Park, left Joseph with significant injuries, including losing teeth and requiring surgery. The assailant, Steve Dauphin Jr., has been arrested and faces multiple charges. The incident has ignited outrage in the community, highlighting concerns about violence against the LGBTQ+ community, especially during Pride Month. Local advocacy groups are urging residents to promote safety and inclusivity.
New Orleans – An 18-year-old New Orleans teenager, DeShan Joseph Jr., was brutally assaulted in a homophobic attack last week in the French Quarter during Pride Month. The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 2, 2023, near Louis Armstrong Park around 6:30 p.m.
Joseph was attacked by a man who yelled homophobic slurs as he pushed him down and kicked him repeatedly in the face. The assailant attempted to pull down Joseph’s pants, which led the victim to fear that he might be raped. In addition to the physical assault, the attacker stole Joseph’s phone and sunglasses.
As a result of the assault, Joseph sustained significant injuries, losing three teeth, with two front teeth left loose. He also suffered an injury to his eye, which was caused by a dislodged contact lens, and will require plastic surgery to repair damage to his nose.
The New Orleans Police Department responded swiftly, apprehending the suspect on the same day of the attack. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Steve Dauphin Jr., was arrested after police received a call about a robbery in the vicinity of Tchoupitoulas and Market streets. Dauphin faces multiple charges, including a hate crime, second-degree robbery, and resisting arrest for refusing to identify himself upon being stopped by authorities.
In the aftermath of the traumatic experience, Joseph has expressed deep fear about his safety. He has been asking his mother if the attacker will find him again. His mother, Kim Joseph, received a FaceTime call from DeShan just before the assault, during which he informed her that he was walking home. This incident comes at a difficult time for the family, as Kim recently lost her nephew in a car accident.
Joseph is a graduate of New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School and had recently taken a gap year. He planned to enroll in a program in Metairie to become a licensed realtor. In addition, Joseph is an aspiring actor with dreams of making it in the film industry, all while juggling three jobs, including working at his mother’s real estate agency, Kugler & Joseph.
Bystanders witnessed the attack, recording the incident and calling the police for assistance. The collective action of those who witnessed the crime provided crucial support to Joseph during a time of extreme distress.
The incident has sparked outrage among many in the community, who have rallied in support of Joseph and condemned the violence and hate that he faced. The frequency of such attacks has raised ongoing concerns about violence against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during Pride Month, a time meant to celebrate love and acceptance.
As the investigation continues, local advocacy groups urge community members to stand against hate and promote an environment of safety and inclusivity for everyone. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity or hate crimes to law enforcement, fostering a community that rejects intolerance and violence.
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Additional Resources
- My New Orleans: The Royal Sonesta New Orleans Hosts Pride Month Events
- Axios: National Sponsors Pull Support From New Orleans Pride Events
- NOLA: Gay Pride in New Orleans
- Fox 8: New Orleans Pride Weekend Celebrations
- Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in the United States
