DETROIT -- A 72-year-old man has died after a brutal beating in what his family said was a hate crime.

Andrew Anthos, was riding a city bus back to his residence at Detroit's Windsor Tower apartments on Feb. 13 when another male passenger asked him if he was gay, Anthos' niece, Athena Fedenis said.

The victim's family said it was a hate crime and that he was beaten by a pipe repeatedly.

Family members said he was left paralyzed from the neck down.

Anthos died Friday night.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Magealine Hloros, the victim's aunt said. "Why do people have to hurt each other?"

Anthos was taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where doctors performed emergency spinal surgery but were unable to reverse the paralysis.

Detroit police said they have not made any arrests in connection with this case.

They are investigating whether the attack was a hate crime.

The Northeastern district of the Detroit Police Department is investigating. Those who have any information on the beating are being asked to contact them at 313-596-1140.

Anthos waged a 20-year campaign to illuminate the state Capitol in red, white and blue for one night each year.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has offered to pay Anthos' funeral expenses.