Nonbinary SLC resident speaks out after attack

David Torrey says he was brutally assaulted late Sunday night near their apartment in Salt Lake City. They said the attack, which took place at the intersection of North Temple and Redwood, left them hospitalized with multiple injuries, including an internal chest injury. Now, they are speaking out, calling for community solidarity and justice.

Torrey, who identifies as nonbinary, says they had just left 7-Eleven and was walking to a nearby bus stop when they decided to take a familiar shortcut behind a boarded-up KFC/A&W restaurant. That’s when they heard the first homophobic slurs.

“Next thing I know, one guy is grabbing one arm, one guy is grabbing another, and I was getting punched in the chest and the stomach,” Torrey recalled.

The assault, they said, escalated quickly. According to Torrey, at least five individuals were involved — two men restrained them while three others delivered blows to their body. One assailant was reportedly wearing brass knuckles, and another brandished a knife, issuing threats. The attack lasted less than a minute but left Torrey shaken and severely injured.

“I was literally across the street from my house at the 7-Eleven,” they said. “And these guys decided to say some transphobic and homophobic slurs against me.”

A woman — whose identity remains unknown — intervened by yelling at the attackers, scaring them off.

“I don’t know who you are, we probably won’t meet, but I really want to thank you,” Torrey said. “I would be dead if it wasn’t for you.”

Torrey believes they were attacked specifically because of their gender identity, citing the hostile political climate as a catalyst for emboldening hate crimes.

“I just want it to be known that people think LGBTQ+ people are not attacked,” they said. “That we are a protected class. That our government is protecting us. It’s not true. Here I [was], in the E.R. Bruises all over. Probably broken ribs. Probably liver damage. All because these people wanted to be bigoted, homophobic, transphobic assholes.”

“I feel like I was targeted, and I have been targeted for a long time,” Torrey said. “This was kind of like an opportunity to do it. People are emboldened by what our current politicians are saying.”

“I am a victim of a hate crime,” Torrey said.

While Torrey immediately called 911 and filed a police report (case number 25-32142), Salt Lake City police have yet to classify the incident as a hate crime, only stating that it is being investigated as an assault.

“I’ve never felt scared to walk around in that area, but unfortunately, now I do feel scared, and I probably won’t do that anymore,” Torrey admitted.

Despite the trauma, they are determined to use their experience as a call to action.

Torrey is urging the LGBTQ+ community to stand together against hate and to remain unapologetically themselves.

“I want people to know they are not alone and that we need to stand as a community with ZERO division,” they emphasized. “I really hope when my story comes out, LGBTQ+ folks will realize that it is okay to be yourself and to not let people stop you for being yourself.”

Anyone with information regarding the attack is urged to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department.