Charged with possible hate crime against teen over DC beating – NBC4 Washington

D.C. police arrested a teenager last month after he brutally beat a man in what is being investigated as a hate crime.

The husband of one victim – a 22-year-old model who moved to D.C. from Colombia last year – told News4 the victim was stopped at a McDonald’s on the busy corner of U Street and 14th^Th Street in the northwest on the way home from a bar before 2 a.m. on October 27th. He decided to leave because of the long line.

Then, according to the police report, he was beaten by a group of men and women because he didn’t say “sorry.” One of the attackers is said to have uttered an anti-homosexual insult.

“The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating this crime as it may be motivated by hate or bias,” a police spokesman said. “The designation may be changed at any time as an investigation progresses and more information is gathered. A hate crime designation by MPD does not mean prosecutors will prosecute it as a hate crime.”

The victim was able to call 911 and FaceTime his partner. The victim’s husband said the video showed drinks and trash being thrown at the victim for about two seconds as he fell to the ground in pain.

The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but his partner told News4 he is concerned about lasting psychological trauma.

According to police, several attackers were captured on surveillance cameras in the area.

On Tuesday, police arrested a 16-year-old Northwest DC boy and charged him with assault causing serious bodily injury.

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