Gay Man Attacked in Coconut Grove

Greg Breidenbach after he was attacked. Photo via GoFundMe.

9. A vicious beating left Greg Breidenbach with seven plates on the left side of his face and feeling blessed just to still be alive. He was attacked in Miami’s Coconut Grove in July. By mid-August, police arrested Marco Antonio Roura and charged him with strong-arm robbery and felony battery and had his bond set at $17,500.

Because Breidenbach is gay, this was originally investigated as a hate crime. However, police say this was a random attack. Vicious, for sure. But also random.

Breidenbach was robbed of a chain and a watch.

A long time acquaintance of Roura recognized him from a police photo.

Friends of the victim rallied the community around him and started a GoFundMe page to help with medical and other expenses. The goal of $20,000 was quickly surpassed, and ended up at $28,875.

– John Hayden