WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — D.C. police have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection to attacking a man in Northwest last month.
The assault incident happened at the McDonald’s on 14th and U streets. Investigators believe it could be a possible anti-gay hate crime.
Just before 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 27, Thomas Lascarro, 22, had fun at two gay bars at the corner of 14th and U streets when he went across the road to McDonald’s. When he tried leaving, a woman told him to watch where he was going.
“A group of individuals up to 15 then blocked off the exit and said, did you not hear what she said? You F-word for gays. A derogatory term,” said Stuart West, Lascarro’s husband.
West wasn’t with him that night but said Thomas was brutally beaten.
On the sidewalk, he inadvertently recorded a video of trash and drinks being thrown at him while trying to FaceTime West.
“An act of violence. So grotesque, coupled with that language is to an extreme level that I never anticipated anyone having to go through, let alone my own husband who’s new here from Colombia,” West said.
On Tuesday, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested and charged a 16-year-old with assault.
“He has a lot of anxiety that comes around this, you know, as one person gets, caught and then fearing that the others won’t,” West said.
Police are still looking for six suspects.
West said Lascarro has recovered a lot from his scrapes and bruises but still needs medical and mental health recovery.
“There are some lingering effects that he’s working through. And those are extreme muscle fatigue and tightness in his jaw. And so he’s having difficulty eating, difficulty speaking,” West said.
West wants to see a permanent police presence during peak hours at 14th and U streets so this never happens to another person.
“We need to have some explanation from our city leaders as to how moving forward, we are going to not only have a temporary solution to this issue, but a permanent solution,” West said.
Anyone with any information about the suspects is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 5041.
