The NYPD's hate crime unit is investigating the brutal assault of a gay, black fashion student in Williamsburg on the morning of Dec. 1.

Taj Patterson, 22, was on his way home after partying with friends when he was attacked by a group of about 15 Hasidic Jewish men at 4:30 a.m., reports say.

"I'm walking down some block by myself and then the next thing I know, I'm surrounded by a group of Hasidic Jewish men and they're attacking me," Patterson, who lives in Fort Greene, told the New York Daily News. "I was alone. I was an easy target. I'm black. I'm gay, a whole slew of reasons."

Patterson, who attends the New York City College of Technology, said the men shouted gay slurs at him, telling him to "Stay down, f----t," the Daily News reported. The assault left Patterson with a torn retina, a broken eye socket, blood clotting and cuts on his legs, the Daily News reported. He was taken to Woodhull Hospital for treatment. He's expected to have surgery to reattach his retina.

Patterson said the group of men watched as their leader proceeded to attack him.

"There was a crowd around him, cheering him on and getting him rowdy, and he would grab me and push me against the wall," Patterson told the Daily News. "He told me to 'stay down, f----t, stay the f--- down.' "

An MTA bus driver, Evelyn Keys, was driving around Flushing Avenue, where the attack occurred. She reportedly saw the group of men surrounding Patterson, according to the Daily News.

"Taj is laying down on his back," she told the Daily News. "I went up to him and he was in so much pain. He says, 'I can't see...I can't breathe,'" 

Patterson was too drunk the night of the attack to immediately recall all of the details, police say.

Pictures of Taj and full Daily News story here.