"D.C. police initially arrested 26-year-old Dean Edmundson on February 7, charging him with simple assault with a hate crime designation. In a February 9 statement, police said Edmundson encountered the victim around 7:45 p.m. on February 7 while both were out walking in the city's Northwest neighborhood. Edmundson "requested a 'high five' from the victim. The victim declined and continued walking," the statement reads, according to the Blade. "The suspect assaulted the victim and used homophobic slurs.""
"According to the Blade, anarrest affidavit filed by D.C. police in Superior Court states that the victim told officers that after he refused to high-five Edmondson, "Defendant Edmondson started walking behind both the victim and witness, calling the victim, 'bald, ugly, and gay.'" The victim alleges that Edmundson then shoved him with both hands. "The victim stated that they felt offended and that they were also gay," the affidavit reads."
D.C. police arrested 26-year-old Dean Edmundson on February 7 and charged him with simple assault that initially carried a hate crime designation. Officers say Edmundson asked the victim for a 'high five,' and when the victim declined, Edmundson followed, called him 'bald, ugly, and gay,' and shoved him. Responding officers apprehended Edmundson at the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department clarified that an MPD hate crime designation does not guarantee prosecutors will pursue hate crime charges. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. have removed the hate crime designation. Authorities state the investigation remains active and further action will depend on evidence.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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