The alleged occurrence of a homophobic attack in San Diego is currently under investigation by the local police department. Recent evidence suggests a different sequence of events than initially reported by the purported victim, a gay man, revealing that he may have assaulted a woman prior to her allegedly setting him on fire.
After the story first broke, Metro Weekly reached out to the San Diego Police for further information but did not receive any response to their multiple requests for comments.
According to statements from the police, the victim, Scott Rowin, claimed to have been set on fire by two individuals who were shouting homophobic slurs. However, the newly obtained video evidence contradicts Rowin’s account. It suggests that he was the aggressor in an altercation with a pregnant woman, and she resorted to setting him on fire as an act of self-defense.
Police records indicate that on June 12 at 10:41 p.m., several calls were made reporting a man assaulting a pregnant woman. Before the authorities arrived, the suspect fled the scene, leaving the woman injured and bleeding. She was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where she received medical treatment for her injuries.
Approximately one hour later, the police received a call from a man claiming to have been set on fire during a homophobic attack. Detectives interviewed the man and arranged for him to receive medical attention at a hospital.
The police department stated, “Investigators have determined that this man was the suspect who assaulted the pregnant woman in the earlier incident at 900 6th Avenue. They have since concluded that the pregnant woman was responsible for causing the burn injuries.”
In light of this revelation, the police gathered security footage that reveals “the initial physical assault by the man on the pregnant woman and the subsequent use of fire as a weapon by the pregnant woman.” They also emphasized that this incident appears to be an “isolated event” and that there is no current “active threat” to the broader San Diego community.
The police did not disclose whether Rowin would face official charges for attacking the pregnant woman. A search of San Diego Superior Court records did not yield any information regarding charges filed against Rowin.
For those who are wondering where this sounds so familiar, remember that Jussie Smollett, an actor known for his role in the TV series “Empire,” staged a false hate crime in Chicago. In January 2019, Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two individuals who shouted racist and homophobic slurs, poured a chemical substance on him, and placed a noose around his neck. However, investigations revealed that Smollett orchestrated the incident himself, hiring the attackers and providing them with instructions. He was subsequently charged with multiple counts of filing a false police report and disorderly conduct. The case garnered significant media attention and resulted in Smollett facing legal consequences.
