West Hartford Police: Man Punched and Called Women Names Based on Sexual Orientation

A West Hartford man was arrested after punching, throwing bottles and glasses, and making comments about the perceived sexual orientation of several women at a LaSalle Road restaurant early Sunday morning.

According to police, Matthew Aaron Parry, 24, of 698 Farmington Ave., Apt. 104, West Hartford, apparently asked four women to join him at a table at the Shish Kebab House at 36 LaSalle Rd. on Saturday night.

West Hartford Police Capt. Jeff Rose said that Parry "started calling one of the women fat, and then said, 'I don't like gay people. I don't sit with fags.'"

According to Rose, one of the women then threw a glass of water at Parry, and he then began throwing glasses and beer bottles at them. Rose said that one of the women was hit above her eyebrow with a glass, but was not injured.

Rose said that Parry also punched at least one of the women in the neck. She sustained a bruise but declined medical attention.

According to police, Parry did not know the women prior to Saturday night.

Parry has been charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

He was released on $10,000 surety bond and is due in court on Oct. 25.