Police are seeking assault charges following the beating death of a transgender boy in Massachusetts

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Police in Massachusetts are seeking to charge three teenagers in connection with the August attack on a transgender boy.

After a lengthy investigation, the Gloucester Police Department announced Friday that it has filed criminal charges related to assault and battery charges against two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old. The teens will then appear in juvenile court, after which a clerk of court judge will determine whether there is probable cause to continue the case.

Victim, Jayden Tkaczyk, he said he was at an outdoor party when a dozen or so teenagers attacked him, throwing homophobic insults at him and chasing him into the forest. He said he was treated at hospital for a broken bone under his right eye and scratches and bruises on his body.

Police assigned a specially trained hate crime investigator to the case and consulted other experts, but the evidence did not support the hate crime allegations, Chief Edward Connelly said in a statement.

“Our department conducted a diligent, thorough and compassionate investigation, and the resulting charges are consistent with the evidence,” Conley said. “Our thoughts remain with the victim who suffered serious injuries in this attack.”