A man from Gainesville has been charged with simple battery following an altercation outside of an Athens bar over the weekend.
Athens-Clarke County Police Department spokesman Epifanio Rodriguez confirmed that Chad Andrew Weaver, 24, is accused of attacking a man because he believed the victim to be gay. Police said the victim, dressed in women's clothing, was walking past the Georgia Bar on West Clayton Street when Weaver called him a "faggot."
The victim responded to the slur and a fight ensued.
Witnesses told officers Weaver punched the victim and continued to yell slurs at him.
The Athens Banner Herald reports the victim was a 20-year-old Highland Park resident.
The incident happened around 2:45 a.m. Saturday.
Rodriguez said Weaver has bonded out of jail.
