Teenager arrested, more suspects wanted for alleged hate crime against Colombian model

WASHINGTON – D.C. police have arrested a 16-year-old boy and are searching for additional suspects in connection with the attack on a 22-year-old Colombian model who claims he was the target of a hate-motivated attack in D.C.'s U Street corridor.

According to police, the incident occurred early Sunday, October 27, around 1:42 a.m

Officers responded to reports of an assault at the McDonald's on 14th Street Northwest, where they found the victim, identified as Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro.

He reported that he was attacked by several people outside a McDonald's and endured homophobic insults.

According to his spouse, who also spoke to police, he was physically beaten by the group, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.

Lascarro was taken to Howard University Hospital where he was treated for a busted lip, scrapes and bruises.

His spouse, Stuart West, expressed grave concerns about his husband's mental health following the attack.

“I fear for his mental health,” West said. “We had conversations about whether DC was safe for us and whether the United States was the right choice.”

The incident sparked concern in the LGBTQ community, with West expressing frustration over what he said was inadequate initial support from emergency responders and police. He claims that emergency responders dismissed the seriousness of the attack and that the case was not classified as a hate crime until he contacted the D.C. police LGBTQ liaison.

The police report was later updated to indicate the use of homophobic slurs during the attack.

The Metropolitan Police Department announced Wednesday that a 16-year-old from Northwest D.C. was arrested and charged with assault causing serious bodily injury. Investigators are still working to identify other people involved who were captured on nearby surveillance footage.

Police are investigating the crime as “potentially motivated by hate or bias,” although officials warned that the designation could change as the investigation progresses and that police labeling it a hate crime is no guarantee of prosecution as such.