I was beaten, taunted for being white, Bronx man says after subway attack

Via Matthew

A Bronx man was viciously assaulted and robbed on a subway train Sunday by four men who he says taunted him for being white.

Police confirmed they are investigating the assault and robbery of Jason Fordell, 29, but have not labeled it a hate crime.

They are seeking the four assailants, who fled the scene. A fifth passenger who police say spontaneously joined in the attack has been arrested.

"Everyone on the train was egging them on," said Fordell, 29, of the early-morning attack on the 4 train.

He said he was returning home at 5 a.m. from an East Village nightclub where he sells his hand-designed leather accessories when his Gothic getup drew unwelcome attention.

After Fordell transferred to a crowded 4 train at 42nd St., four young, black men began harassing him, cops said.

"People started saying stupid little comments - cracker this, white boy this, f----t this," Fordell said. "I told them the only reason they were saying this is there was four of them and one of me."

"I'm a small, little white kid with long hair," he added. "They got guys three times my size threatening me."

As the train continued into the Bronx, the confrontation became physical, he said.

"I was in a headlock, punched and kicked on the floor," Fordell said.

Then a passenger decided to join in - declaring, "Oh, I get a few shots, too," before kicking and punching Fordell in the head, according to cops.

When Fordell finally left the train at his Fordham Road stop, his original attackers snatched his bag and ran. Inside was $2,900 worth of merchandise, cops said.

Fordell chased the men to the token booth downstairs, where two of them pummeled him while the others escaped with the bag.

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