Tuesday Attack UPDATED
MPD seeks information after Petworth assault with possible bias motive
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking the public for information in its investigation of an assault with a dangerous weapon that may have been bias motivated. According to MPD, the incident occurred during the ”evening hours” of July 6, in the 800 block of Emerson St. NW, which is a block east of Georgia Avenue in D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood.
”The complainant sustained non-life threatening injuries,” states a release transmitted on MPD’s Special Liaison Units listserv. The MPD’s liaison units include the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU).
”The initial investigation reveals there may be a bias motivation to the crime. The victim in this case is an adult male.”
Providing further details about the incident, Captain Edward Delgado says detectives from MPD’s Fourth District are working specifically with the GLLU and are looking for ”three to five black males in [their] 30s who came after the victim using words that are offensive.”
”I cannot release the actual words that were used because I do not want to jeopardize the case,” Delgado said July 8, adding that while no robbery occurred, the incident involved ”a vicious attack.”
”I want to be clear that there are no similar attacks of this nature in the area.”
Joe Montoni, co-chair of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV), told Metro Weekly on Saturday, July 10, that the organization is working with the victim. According to Montoni, the victim, who has not yet talked publicly about the incident, reports being assaulted by “two African-American men.” Additionally he reports that a group of people witnessed the attack.
“In this case we want to work with the victim to make sure we assist him in anyway we can,” Montoni said.
“If [police] make an [identification] in the case we want to help publicize it and bring the people who did this to justice…. At this point there’s not a lot to go on, because an ID for a suspect hasn’t been made, so we’re working with the victim and trying to assist him in seeing [his] case through.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD by calling 202-727-9099. Information may be submitted anonymously by calling 1-866-411-TIPS.
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