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mahatmakanejeeves

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Thu Nov 7, 2024, 12:58 PM Yesterday

D.C. police arrest teen in attack on gay model at McDonald's

Local Crime & Public Safety
D.C. police arrest teen in attack on gay model at McDonald’s
The model was attacked by a dozen people at the restaurant at 14th and U streets NW, his husband said.


“We are relieved to know that there has been an arrest and are optimistic that more of the perpetrators will be found,” said Stuart West, left, the husband of victim Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro. (Stuart West)

By Peter Hermann
November 7, 2024 at 11:39 a.m. EST

D.C. police have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with last month’s attack on a gay model by more than a dozen people at a McDonald’s at 14th and U streets NW. Authorities said they are investigating the assault as a possible hate crime. ... The male youth was arrested Tuesday and charged as a juvenile with assault with significant bodily injury, police said in a statement. The status of his case {could not be} learned because juvenile court cases are not public. Authorities said they are searching for several other people believed to have participated in the attack.

“We are relieved to know that there has been an arrest and are optimistic that more of the perpetrators will be found,” the victim’s husband, 36-year-old Stuart West, said Thursday. “This eases anxiety, not for just us, but all those that frequent that corner of D.C. as we see continual attacks against our community.”

The victim, Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro, 22, was hospitalized after the Oct. 27 attack that occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. The 22-year-old was released and has been recovering at home. He has not commented publicly on the incident. ... West said Lascarro had been out with friends and stopped by the McDonald’s on his way home. That’s where a woman accused Lascarro of failing to say “excuse me” as he passed by her in the crowded lobby, West said. A police report provides a consistent account.

West said that as Lascarro tried to walk away, he was blocked in by as many as 15 people, and at least one used a homophobic slur. ... West said the couple appreciates the police investigation and are working with local lawmakers and law enforcement “to help prevent this from occurring again.”

By Peter Hermann
Peter Hermann covers crime for The Washington Post. He previously worked for the Baltimore Sun for 22 years, covering a Baltimore suburb and then the Baltimore Police Department.follow on X @phscoop
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