County Supervisor Peter Burgelis recovering after violent attack in Mayfair Mall

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County Supervisor Peter Burgelis is recovering at home after he was violently attacked earlier this week.

Burgelis had surgery for a broken jaw Thursday after a man punched him in a store at Mayfair Mall Monday, June 12, just after 3 p.m.

Burgelis spoke to us through gritted teeth Friday because his jaw is wired shut, and will be for the next four to six weeks.

He said this kind of attack happens every day, somewhere in the US.

Burgelis recalled the moment he was hit, saying, "I don't think I've ever been hit like that before."

Burgelis said he pulled into a Mayfair Mall parking spot a little crooked Monday, so he backed out and parked again. Another driver was apparently not happy.

Burgelis said, "When I got out of the car they were yelling at me. And I'm not about to engage someone in a verbal anything in a parking lot."

Burgelis went into the mall but the other driver caught up to him and kept yelling at him, only walking away when they neared a security guard.

But moments later, when Burgelis was in line at a register, the man returned, called him a homophobic slur, and hit him.

Burgelis said, "I was just about to pay, and I heard this 'Maybe you'll talk now, f*g,' and sucker punched me from behind."

Burgelis said he was literally stunned. Witnesses helped him, and mall security and Wauwatosa police were quick to respond.

At first, he thought he lost a tooth, so he went to his dentist right away. He said, "They were kind of in amazement. Did an x-ray right away and saw that my mandible was… they saw my mandible was fractured."

The suspect got away, but Wauwatosa Police said a person of interest has been identified.

Even recounting what happened, Burgelis had to pause because of the blood and discomfort, and to adjust the wires keeping his jaw shut.

He isn't sure if he was targeted because he's openly gay. He said he does wear a bracelet with a rainbow on it and advocates openly for LGBTQ+ causes.

But regardless, he said his attack is a reminder that members of the LGBTQ+ community are four times as likely to be victims of violent crimes.

Burgelis said, "I can't ever imagine someone saying something to someone else that would justify an assault like this."

We asked Burgelis if he has a message for his attacker, if and when he's caught. He said, "I don't have a message for them, but I'm confident the justice system will throw the book at him."

So far, the person of interest is not in custody.

We reached out to Mayfair Mall for comment but they did not yet respond.