The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is currently investigating an assault on a gay couple in Northeast DC as a suspected anti-LGBTQ hate crime.
A man, identified as Aaron Arnwine, was walking with his boyfriend and his dogs in the 200 block of 63rd Street Northeast, and a man harassed the couple by hurling anti-gay slurs at them, FOX 5 reported based on a report by DC police.
The suspect then smashed a glass bottle over the back of Arnwine’s head.
“I’m praying for God to change his heart, that he realizes that violence, initiating violence over something that petty is stupid and that there are consequences to that,” Arnwine told FOX 5.
MPD has not made any arrests yet in connection with the investigation.
A similar incident took place on June 12, in the 500 block of Florida Avenue, Northwest Washington. A 13-year-old boy allegedly threatened to stab a man with a machete during the Pride Parade held in the District.
The suspect used anti-gay slurs, stabbed cicadas in front of the victim and flicked them at him while he ate at a restaurant. He also told the victim he would “silence” him. He was later arrested by DC police and charged with “assault with a dangerous weapon.”
MPD Arrests Machete Wielding 13-Year-Old Who Allegedly Hurled Anti-LGBTQ Slurs