Alexandre Tchernychev and Aaron Alexander Hahn charged with assault on a gay man in Vancouver

A 30 year old Vancouver man is recovering from facial injuries after he was violently attacked near Davie and Burrard on the morning of July 1st. Two men in their early 20s are in custody facing charges of aggravated assault for their role in the attack and police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

Around 2:45 a.m., the victim and friends were walking along Davie Street when they passed by a group of men and women on the sidewalk. Suddenly, one of the men from the group turned and verbally confronted the victim. Words were exchanged and without warning, the victim was allegedly punched in the face by his attacker, knocking him to the ground.

As he lay on the ground the blows continued and a second man allegedly joined in, repeatedly punching the victim. Disturbing comments were also allegedly made regarding the victims’ sexual orientation. The two attackers then fled on foot but were arrested moments later in the 1100 block of Davie Street by a VPD patrol unit.

The victim suffered facial injuries requiring medical attention at the scene.

Charged with assault causing bodily harm are 21 year old Alexandre Tchernychev and 21 year old Aaron Alexander Hahn, both from Vancouver. Neither man has any previous criminal convictions.