WASHINGTON, D.C. – An alarming incident at a McDonald’s in Washington, D.C., has sparked a police investigation into a possible hate crime after a gay man was attacked by a group of individuals. The victim, identified as 22-year-old Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro, was assaulted by a group of 10 to 15 men and women who reportedly hurled homophobic slurs before physically attacking him.
The attack occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday as Robles Lascarro was returning home after visiting bars in the Logan Circle area and decided to stop for food at the McDonald’s located at 14th and U streets. His husband, Stuart West, recounted the events leading up to the attack, noting that Robles Lascarro encountered a hostile reaction from a woman in line after he decided to leave due to the long wait.
According to West, as Robles Lascarro attempted to exit the restaurant, the woman accused him of failing to say “excuse me” and proceeded to insult him using a homophobic slur. Her words reportedly prompted her companions to further confront Robles Lascarro, leading to a violent altercation.
The group blocked the exit, threatening to “teach” him a lesson, West explained. When Robles Lascarro raised his hand to move past them, the group began to physically assault him, targeting his face and body.
After the attack, Robles Lascarro managed to call 911 and also reached out to his husband via FaceTime. The call inadvertently captured brief footage of the scene, showing bystanders throwing objects at him. A subsequent photo revealed his injuries, with his face swollen and bloodied, a result of the attack. He was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Robles Lascarro, who works as a model and relocated to Washington, D.C., from Colombia last year, is expected to recover physically. However, West expressed concerns over the potential long-term psychological effects and the safety of the LGBTQ community in the city, particularly as Washington, D.C. prepares to host the World Pride Celebration in 2025.
Law enforcement are still investigating the incident as a potential hate crime, seeking justice in the matter.