Hate crime in Ann Arbor

2011 - It's unclear what other than hate may have motivated this attack because the victim was not robbed, just beaten.

Ann Arbor Police are trying to find out if an early morning assault on a young man is also a hate crime.

The beating took place near the intersection of E. University and S. University and it involved eight assailants.

Police suspect the 22-year-old victim, who is white, and a friend of his were followed by the group of mostly black men as they left Backroom Pizza on Church Street near the University of Michigan campus.

The victim told investigators that the men hurled derogatory names based on his race and perceived sexual orientation before and during the beating. The victim was left with cuts and bruises but, reportedly, refused medical treatment.

Nothing was taken from the victim and his friend was not harmed.

One of the attackers was seen holding a knife and as the victim's friend tried pulling him to safety, police say, the attackers took off on foot.

Of the eight attackers, we're told six are black. One is white and one is hispanic.

So far, no arrests have been made but police are looking at video from nearby surveillance cameras in hopes of being able to identify any suspects.