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The man, seen in a still photograph released by police late Tuesday, is believed to be Hispanic or an African-American with light skin tone, police said.
According to police, the suspect is in his mid-20s and was wearing a dark, button-down shirt or jacket, white or light-colored jeans and black shoes at the time of the attack. He also wore a backward Atlanta Braves baseball cap, police said.
According to police, the victim was one of several women in a group walking on Spring Street in Stamford when the man approached and started a conversation.
After the women made their disinterest known, some words were exchanged and the man hit the victim in the face while making a "disparaging comment toward LGBTs," according to police.
Police are investigated the incident as a hate crime, Stamford Mayor David Martin said.
"This deplorable attack has no place in our city and does not represent the diversity we celebrate here in Stamford," Martin said in a statement. "Every person in our city should be able to walk down any street and not be viciously attacked because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason."
The man was photographed by a woman in the group alert enough in the moment of the attack to quickly use her cellphone as the man fled south on Bedford Street, police said.
Investigators said they are hopeful someone will come forward with information about the man because there were many witnesses.
Anyone with information about the assault is asked to call Stamford police at 203-977-4417.
Martin urged any members of the LGBT community who may have faced similar attacks or who may have general concerns to contact the police department's community liaison, Assistant Police Chief Tom Wuennemann, or the liaison for the city and mayor, Deputy Corporation Counsel Vikki Cooper.
"There is still more work to do, especially in light of this weekend’s assault," Martin said. "We will continue our efforts to make Stamford safe for everyone.”
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