Man arrested after hate-fueled assault near busy Northwest DC intersection
Washington, DC – A 39-year-old man was taken into custody Monday morning after allegedly lunging at a pedestrian and shouting a homophobic slur in what police are calling a potential hate crime in Northwest Washington.
Just before 10:30 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of 14th Street and R Street NW, where a man had reportedly jumped in front of a passerby and began swinging his fists in an aggressive manner. The victim was not struck, but police say the suspect hurled a homophobic slur during the confrontation.
Officers quickly arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Marshall Baxter, who has no fixed address. He was charged with Simple Assault (Hate/Bias).
The Metropolitan Police Department says the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime. The department’s Special Liaison Branch, which works on incidents involving bias or marginalized communities, is assisting with the investigation.
Police noted that while MPD may classify an offense as hate or bias-related, the final charging decisions — including whether the case is prosecuted as a hate crime — rest with the District’s prosecutors.
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Key Points
- A man was arrested Monday for allegedly assaulting a victim and using a homophobic slur in Northwest DC
- The suspect, Marshall Baxter, 39, was charged with Simple Assault (Hate/Bias)
- The case is under investigation as a potential hate crime by MPD’s Special Liaison Branch