Three individuals have been hospitalized after a “spate” of anti-LGBT violence in Washington D.C.
The Washington Blade is reporting that a gay man was shot outside an IHOP in the Columbia Heights neighborhood on March 11th, and another gay man and transgender woman were severely beaten in separate incidents the following day. This occurred within a 24 hour period.
The man who was shot was reportedly taunted with gay slurs by three suspects at a nearby table. A scuffle ensued, resulting in a gunshot wound to the liver. He is expected to be released from the hospital next week.
The second man was assaulted the following evening while walking home. According to the witnesses, two or three male suspects attacked the victim while yelling anti-gay slurs. He awaits surgery Wednesday for a broken jaw.
The transgender woman reports being hit from behind and knocked unconscious, but does not remember if anything was said at the time of the attack. She was treated and released for a minor head injury.
The attacks against the two men are being listed as anti-gay hate crimes by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Officers did not immediately list the attack against the transgender woman as an anti-trans hate crime due to lack of evidence, but are investigating further as they feel it may have been the main motivation.
