The Orlando Police Department responded to a violent altercation near the somber walls of the Pulse nightclub, the scene of unspeakable tragedy not too long ago. According to ClickOrlando, 39-year-old Zane Aparicio, who identifies as Cait Aldebrandt, reported being physically assaulted — punched and kicked in the face — by an assailant near the site that stands as both a memorial and a battleground for LGBTQ rights.
The attack occurred on the same pavement where protests have been ignited by the state's removal of rainbow crosswalks. Aparicio's assailant, who had been seen driving by Pulse since Wednesday, showing slurs and obscene hand gestures, escalated their taunts to violence during the Saturday incident. "He grabbed the rainbow flag that I had in my hands from my hands, and then started punching me and kicking me. I went down. I did not attack back. And, as I tried to get up, he kicked me in the face. I pick myself up. I called the cops," Aparicio stated, as per ClickOrlando. A video provided to the outlet shows a snippet of the assault.
This incident at the Pulse memorial, as per WFTV, remains under police investigation.
