Machete-Wielding Man Sought by D.C. Police for Possible Hate Crime

Police are offering a reward for information leading to the suspect's capture.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

Read Full Bio

Neal Broverman

November 15 2019 6:23 AM EST

May 31 2023 6:42 PM EST

Nbroverman

Sorry to interrupt...
But we wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Your support makes original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Help us hold Trump accountable.

One-time Monthly

$19.67 $50 Other

$5 $19.67 $50

Police in Washington, D.C., are investigating a possible antigay hate crime after two men were chased with a machete in the NoMa neighborhood, according to reports.

The victims say they swore at each other while walking outside, but the suspect believed they were speaking to him. The suspect then brandished a machete and chased the men into an apartment building's lobby while making stabbing motions. The men managed to escape with their lives, but it's not clear if they were injured.

The incident is being investigated as assault with a dangerous weapon and a possible antigay hate crime. Police are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the suspect's arrest.

The FBI released information Wednesday that showed an increase last year in the percentage of hate crimes targeting people for their sexual orientation or gender identity, noting that nearly one in five hate crime victims were attacked because they're LGBTQ.