Reward increased to help identify people responsible for assault of same sex couple

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Several organizations have joined with Rain on 4th and Oilcan Harrys to increase a reward to help identify those responsible for an assault on a same sex couple.

Oilcan Harrys and Rain on 4th had been offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the people who attacked Spencer Deehring and Tristan Perry after they left Rain on Jan. 19 at 2:20 a.m.

A Facebook post on the Oilcan Harrys page says that reward is now $11,000 thanks to Austin Playhouse: “Paradise”, Cyclistlaw Attorneys, Texas Motorcycle and Bike Crash Lawyers, and R-Events : planning for your success contributing.

The post reads:

Deehring and Perry says while walking to their car on Jan. 19 that a man passed them and said a homophobic slur.

Spencer said he responded saying, "I’m sorry, I couldn't hear you."

That's when the man called over about four other people who taunted the two as they walked down 3rd Street towards Congress Avenue.

Then, Deehring said, the men started punching and kicking Perry until he was unconscious.

Austin police say they are investigating the attack as a hate crime.

$5,000 reward to identify people responsible for assault of same sex couple

Austin couple beaten unconscious they say for sexual orientation