Police Charge Man New Year’s Day Bias Hate Assault Crime

Friday, January 3, 2025, 8:30 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- D.C. Metropolitan Police have charged a 44-year-old Northeast, D.C. man with racially assaulting a man over a cigarette late Wednesday evening in Northeast, D.C.

     D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith reported on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, shortly before 11:30 p.m., members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s First District responded to a report of an assault on the 800 Block of H Street in Northeast, D.C.

Victim Informs Police Officers Of Racial Slurs

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a victim who reported that the suspect approached him and asked him for a cigarette. After the victim told the suspect that he did not have a cigarette, the suspect began verbally assaulting him with racial slurs, then physically assaulted the victim, and then fled the scene on foot.

     Responding Police Officers located the suspect nearby and took him into custody. The suspect was identified as Shawn Radford, 44, of Northeast, D.C. After being taken into custody, Radford was formally charged with Simple Assault; and Threats to Commit Bodily Harm.

     Detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department are currently investigating this incident as a potential racially motivated bias hate crime, and charges could be upgraded.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”