Family charged with hate crime after savage beating leaves gay man blind

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A father, mother and son face hate crime charges for allegedly beating a gay man so badly that he was left permanently blind.

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Yevhen Makarenko, 43, Inna Makarenko, 44, and their son Oleh Makarenko, 21, are accused of “severely beating a man based on his sexual orientation,” prosecutors said in a news release.

The alleged victim, who has not been named, is a 31-year-old man from Pompano Beach, Fla.

The attack allegedly took place on Aug. 6, 2021.

“They secretly, forcibly or by threat abducted or imprisoned the victim against his will … to terrorize him,” the arrest report alleges, according to WTVJ.

They then “struck the victim numerous times … causing serious bodily injury and disfigurement, almost resulting in his death.”

Authorities claim the victim “has been permanently blinded and sustained other serious injuries as a result of the incident.”

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Since the arrests, supporters of the Makarenkos have started an online petition proclaiming the family’s innocence, the news outlet reported.

The page describes the family as Ukrainian refugees who run successful door and interior design renovation companies.

“The accusations are completely false and need to be defeated and ultimately dismissed!” the petition states.

The three suspects have been charged with first-degree attempted murder, burglary with battery, and kidnapping “with prejudice” – all charges enhanced under Florida’s new “hate crime” law.

If found guilty, they face up to life in prison on each count.

A fourth family member, Vladyslav Makarenko, 25, was transferred from Alabama to the Broward County jail system on Monday, but no charges have been filed against him “at this time,” prosecutors said.

Authorities are still reviewing the case against him.

All four family members are being held without bond.