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Police: Fairfield Man Hurls Racial Slur, Punches Victim In Stamford Attack

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A Fairfield man launched a racial slur at a black man and followed up with a punch to the unsuspecting man's nose during an incident late Saturday in downtown Stamford, police said.

Richard Gasper, 23, of 134 Fox St., Fairfield is charged with third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. He allegedly struck a 26-year-old black man in the face and said a racial slur.

Richard Gasper, 23, of 134 Fox St., Fairfield is charged with third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. He allegedly struck a 26-year-old black man in the face and said a racial slur.

Photo Credit: Stamford Police Department
James Perkins, 30, of Fairfield is accused of attacking a

James Perkins, 30, of Fairfield is accused of attacking a

Photo Credit: Stamford Police Department

Richard Gasper, 23, of 134 Fox St., Fairfield, is also facing charges - along with another Fairfield man - in connection with another assault that occurred just before he made the racial slur. Gasper was charged with third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace in the incident. 

He and James Perkins, 30, of 21 Old Field Road, Fairfield is charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace.

In the bias-related assault, police said a 26-year-old black man was on his way to use an ATM and parked his car on Atlantic Street near Broad Street at about 11:30 p.m., police said. When he returned, he discovered the car was locked while his keys were still in the ignition, police said. As he tried to get into his vehicle, Gasper walked by with a friend and asked the victim what he was doing, police said.

The victim explained what had happened, at which point Gasper said "You stupid (racial slur)" and punched the man in the nose, causing a bloody nose and cutting his mouth, said Sgt. Kelly Connelly. 

The victim called police and pointed out the perpetrator, who was standing with a group of people near Ferguson Library.

It was at that moment that a 23-year-old white man came over to say that he had also been assaulted by Gasper and Perkins in the area of Bedford and Spring streets close to where the other attack occurred.

The 23-year-old man said he was crossing the street when two men approached him and asked "What's Up?" with Gasper then allegedly punching him in the mouth causing him to fall to the ground.

It was then that Perkins allegedly began kicking the man as he lay on the street until a passer-by intervened. The victim suffered cuts but declined medical treatment.

The court dates for both men were unavailable.

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