NYC hate crime: Marc Carson killed in Greenwich Village in "anti-gay" shooting, police say

(CBS) NEW YORK CITY-- A 33-year-old man was arrested early Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Marc Carson in New York City's Greenwich Village, an incident police are calling an "anti-gay" hate crime, reports CBS News.

"This fully looks to be a hate crime, a bias crime," said New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, describing the attack.

Police said Elliot Morales, 33, urinated on a wall near an upscale restaurant and then went inside to ask whether anyone would call the police. According to authorities, Morales unzipped his sweatshirt to display a shoulder holster with a revolver and told the bartender and manger, "if you do call the police, I'll shoot you."

He then allegedly used anti-gay slurs.

When Morales left the restaurant, CBS reports, he and two others walked up to Carson and his friend. According to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, one of the men with Morales asked, "What are you, gay wrestlers?"

Carson and his friend reportedly turned around and said, "What did you say?" to the men and then kept walking.

"There were no words that would aggravate the situation spoken by the victims here," Kelly said.

Morales reportedly continued to follow the victims and asked Carson if he and his friend were together. Police believe Carson said 'yes,' and Morales replied with, "Do you want to die here?"

Authorities allege Morales then shot Carson in the cheek.

After fleeing to 3rd street, Morales was arrested on the perimeter of the New York University campus, Kelly said.

Police reportedly said that the hate crime adds to the growing number of recent bias-based attacks taking place in New York City, though this was the first deadly attack.

New York State Senator Brad Hoylman called for all New Yorkers "to unite against hate and gun violence," CBS reports.