Police investigate hate crime near George Washington University campus

WASHINGTON — Police are investigating a reported hate crime that happened near George Washington University earlier this week.

According to an incident report by the Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the 800 block of 23rd Street, NW just after 8:30 a.m. on July 10 for reports of a fight. 

When officers arrived, they found the victim, who reported being attacked while on his way to work. 

Investigators say the victim was walking out of the park area next to George Washington University Hospital when someone started punching him in the face without saying a single word. 

The victim said he was punched five or six times in the face while hearing the attacker say "You are not the real Jewish and you guys are murderer, you guys kill people in Gaza and in America," the incident report reads. 

The attacker reportedly continued to make racial comments to the victim, who believes they did so because the victim was wearing a yamaka on his head. First responders treated the victim for injuries to his face and cuts on his elbow. He told police he planned to visit urgent care on his own. 

A Special Police Officer (SPO) from George Washington University Hospital detained a suspect, who was later taken into MPD custody. The suspect has not yet been identified but is now facing charges of simple assault and hate bias crime.