A 46 year old gay man in North Carolina is in critical condition after being beaten, robbed, and set on fire by another man he met at a gay bar (Chemistry Nightclub) in Greensboro, North Carolina on November 9. Apparently, everything seemed fine when they left the bar and headed to a nearby hotel. The fire alarm went off at the hotel, and then Mr. White was found in this horrific condition.
From Towleroad:
When Stephen Patrick White and Garry Joseph Gupton left a gay bar together in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, early Sunday, "everything seemed normal," according to qnotes.
White, 46, and Gupton, 26, hailed a cab outside the Chemistry Nightclub and traveled to the Battleground Inn, a hotel about 4 miles away. At about 4:30 a.m., an employee at the Battleground Inn called 911 after he heard screaming and a fire alarm was activated.
White is now in critical condition at a hospital in nearby Winston-Salem with life-threatening injuries, including burns over 52 percent of his body, qnotes reports. Gupton was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after allegedly setting White on fire in what authorities say was an attempt to kill him.
And, from
qnotes:
Sources close to the victim tell qnotes the two met at Chemistry Nightclub, a gay bar in the city at 2901 Spring Garden St., and when they left “everything seemed normal” and friendly.
White was apparently found naked, robbed and beaten, in addition to his life-threatening injuries from the fire.
Drew Wofford, the owner of Chemistry Nighclub has organized a benefit for White this Saturday, Nov. 15. All proceeds from the door, bar and entertainer tips and drag show and staff pay are being donated to help in White’s recovery. Another local bar, Q Lounge, is also hosting a fundraiser on Saturday. Posters for both events are posted below. Donations can also be made online.