GenQ - For the not so straight individual

The charges against two of the men accused of driving Michael Sandy, a gay Brooklyn man, onto a busy highway where he was struck and killed have been formally upgraded to murder. A third man is expected to face the same charge.

Sandy, 28, died Friday after his family removed life support.

John Fox, 19, and Ilya Shurov, 20, were formally indicted on Monday on second degree murder charges. They are also charged with second degree manslaughter, assault and robbery as hate crimes.

The third suspect, Gary Timmins, 16 is charged with assault and robbery as hate crimes. His charges could be upgraded to include murder as well according to a police spokesperson.

A fourth man man accused of being an accomplice is cooperating with police and reportedly led investigators to the other three.

Police say that Fox and Shurov acted like gay men, cruising an Internet chat room when they met Sandy online. The two men weren't looking for hook-up, instead they wanted someone to rob. While in the chat room, they met Sandy.

Police evidently found messages between Sandy and the men on his home computer along with printed directions to Plum Beach, a popular gay cruising area inside Sandy's car.

According to police, Sandy arranged to meet Fox on a street corner in Brooklyn where they drove a short distance to the becah where the others were waiting. When the gang started beating Sandy, he bolted toward the nearby Belt Parkway where he was hit by a car while trying to escape.

The attackers were also last seen going through Sandy's pockets before fleeing leaving his lifeless body in the middle of the highway.

The driver of the car that struck Sandy did not stop, and police are urging the driver to come forward.

New York City Police said that this is the first known case where thugs have used the Internet to lure a gay man into an attack and issued a warning for people to be wary of people they meet in chat rooms.

Police say people should not arrange to meet in secluded areas or in their homes. A restaurant, club or other public place where there are witnesses is recommended.