Police tab beating of senior a hate crime

BALTIMORE, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Baltimore police say they are treating a recent attack that left a 76-year-old black man in serious condition as a possible hate crime.

Police said a suspect taken into custody has claimed to be a white supremacist, prompting suspicions the Fort Armistead Park attack by three assailants Tuesday was racially motivated, The Baltimore Sun reported Wednesday.

Police said the victim, whose identity was not reported, was in serious but stable condition with head injuries.

The victim's wife, who was present at the time of the attack, was not injured.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi identified the suspect in custody as convicted sex offender Calvin E. Lockner, who allegedly informed police he was a white supremacist. The identities of the two additional suspects sought in the assault were not reported.

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is using the attack to promote diversity and tolerance in the city.

"Any form of violence, whether it is racially motivated or not, has no place in our society," Dixon said in a statement.