Suspect arrested in beating of NYC journalist

NEW YORK - Police in New York City have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with the brutal beating of a well-known New York theatre journalist, reports CBS New York.

Leighton Jennings, of Queens, was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree assault for allegedly punching 45-year-old Randy Gener in the face. Gener underwent brain surgery and was last listed in stable condition at St. Luke’s Hospital, reports the station. His relatives said he remembers little about the attack and faces additional surgery.

The attack took place on a New York City street in the early hours of Jan. 17, police said. Gener's wallet, phone and gold necklace were not taken during the attack, according to the station.

Gener was reportedly just feet away from his apartment building at the time, returning home from an opening night party on Broadway.

Gener is an award-winning journalist who has worked for the New York Daily News, The New York Times, the Village Voice and NPR. He is active in the city’s Filipino and gay communities.

While the case was initially being investigated as a hate crime, police said their investigation determined the attack was not of a bias nature.