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Attack in Northwest is investigated as possible hate crime

December 16, 2017 at 7:13 p.m. EST

An attack on Wednesday in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of the District is being investigated as a possible hate crime, D.C. police said.

The attacker made derogatory statements while striking the victim “multiple times” with an expandable baton during the assault, which occurred about 9 p.m. Wednesday in the 3000 block of 14th Street NW, police said. They did not provide further detail about the victim, the attacker’s comments or the type of hate crime.

The victim was treated at a hospital for injuries that police said were not life-threatening.

They said Charles Sharp, 48, of Northwest Washington, was arrested Thursday in connection with the attack and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Police are investigating if the attack was motivated by hate or bias.