During the early morning hours of July 4, a 25-year-old Pilot Mountain, N.C., man was attacked by a group of men witnesses say were making anti-gay slurs before and during the attack.

According to friend Ricky Scott, the victim, who is not gay, was leaving a popular downtown Greensboro nightspot with two gay friends when he was struck in the back of the head and knocked to the ground. His two friends ran to get help. Scott was not present during the incident.

Calls made to the victim and one of the witnesses have not been returned.

Greensboro Police arrested 25-year-old Tyren Hassan McNeil. He is charged with felony aggravated assault inflicting serious bodily injury. His first court date is set for July 30. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession.

According to Greensboro Police public information officer Lt. Hope Newkirk, the victim did not recall hearing anti-gay remarks from the assailants. Witnesses described hearing the remarks in later police interviews.