Police Log: Jan. 6

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations

Published

14 years ago

January 4, 2012

Staff reports

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On Jan. 2, in the 800 block of 21st Street, N.W., two complainants who are father and daughter had a verbal altercation. No criminal offense took place and a report was taken.
On Dec. 28, in the 2500 block of Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., police responded to investigate a family disturbance. Both parties involved were on the scene and interviewed. Investigation revealed they are in a domestic relationship. Investigation revealed there was no assault. A report was taken and resource agency information was provided.
On Dec. 28, at 3rd & Delafield N.W., a complainant reported that while walking up to the intersection, a suspect yelled homophobic and racial slurs. The suspect then pushed the victim in the back. As the man turned to confront his assailant, two additional suspects approached and the man fled the area. As the victim fled, one suspect grabbed his hair and pulled some out.
 On Dec. 27, in the 300 block of M Street, N.W., a woman reported that while walking in the location she was approached by a suspect who robbed her of her purse. The suspect fled and remains at large. No bias indicated. A report was taken.
On Dec. 27, at Kansas Avenue and Varnum Street, N.W., a man reported that a suspect attempted to rob him with a firearm. The victim fled the area and reported that he heard the suspect yelling homophobic slurs and other derogatory comments at him. Three suspects were later arrested and charged.
On Dec. 27, at 14th & Irving streets, N.W., six complainants were approached by six subjects who used homophobic slurs. The suspects then began assaulting the complainants, displayed a handgun and attempted to rob them. Two suspects were arrested.
On Dec. 25, in the 5200 block of Kansas Avnue, N.W., a man and a male suspect who are involved in a domestic relationship were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into an assault when the suspect struck the victim with his hands. The suspect was arrested.
On Dec. 24, in the 1800 block of 29th Street, S.E., a complainant and a defendant were involved in a verbal altercation. The altercation escalated and the suspect assaulted the complainant causing injuries. The two are involved in a domestic relationship. The defendant was arrested.
On Dec. 24, in the 1200 block of 1st Street, N.E., police received a call for an assault. While at a local establishment, a complainant was assaulted by a suspect. The victim sustained scratches on the face, neck and chest and the suspect was arrested.
On Dec. 23, in the 2400 block of Hartford Street, S.E., a woman was walking when she was approached by a suspect who used homophobic slurs and assaulted her. The suspect fled the area. A report was taken.
On Dec. 21, in the 2200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E., a woman reported that she was involved in a verbal altercation with another girl. The girl’s brother came from behind and punched her in the head. Medical treatment was refused. No bias was indicated. A report was taken on scene.

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BLUF leather social set for April 10 in Rehoboth

Attendees encouraged to wear appropriate gear

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21 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach will host a BLUF leather social on Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach hosts a monthly leather happy hour. April’s edition is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate gear. The event is billed as an official event of BLUF, the free community group for men interested in leather. After happy hour, the attendees are encouraged to reconvene at Local Bootlegging Company for dinner, which allows cigar smoking. There’s no cover charge for either event.

District of Columbia

Celebrations of life planned for Sean Bartel

Two memorial events scheduled in D.C.

Published

21 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Two celebrations of life are planned for Sean Christopher Bartel, 48, who was found deceased on a hiking trail in Argentina on or around March 15. Bartel began his career as a television news reporter and news anchor at stations in Louisville, Ky., and Evansville, Ind., before serving as Senior Video Producer for the D.C.-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union from 2013 to 2024.

A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the IBEW International Office (900 7th St., N.W.), according to a statement by the DC Gay Flag Football League, where Bartel was a longtime member. A celebration of life is planned that same evening, 6-8 p.m. at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.).

District of Columbia

D.C. Council member honored by LGBTQ homeless youth group

Doni Crawford receives inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award

Published

3 days ago

April 8, 2026

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

Wanda Alston Foundation Director Cesar Toledo presents the Wanda Alston Legacy Award to DC Councilmember Doni Crawford at an April 7 award event at Crush Bar. (Washington Blade photo by Lou Chibbaro, Jr.)

About 100 people turned out Tuesday evening, April 7, for a presentation by D.C.’s Wanda Alston Foundation of its inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award to D.C. Council member Doni Crawford (I-At-Large) for her support for the foundation’s mission to support homeless LGBTQ youth.

Among those who attended the event was Japer Bowles, director of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, who delivered an official proclamation issued by Bowser declaring April 7, 2026 “A Day of Remembrance for Wanda Alston.”

Alston, a beloved women’s and LGBTQ rights activist, served as the city’s first director of the then newly created Office of LGBTQ Affairs under then-Mayor Anthony Williams from 2004 until her death by murder on March 16, 2005.

To the shock and dismay of fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, police and court records reported Alston, 45, was stabbed to death inside her Northeast D.C. house by a man high on crack cocaine who lived nearby and who stole her credit cards and car. The perpetrator, William Martin Parrott, 38, was arrested by D.C. police the next day and later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced in July 2005 to 24 years in prison.

Crawford was among those attending the award event who reflected on Alston’s legacy and outspoken advocacy for LGBTQ and feminist causes.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this inaugural award,” Crawford told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the event. “I think the world of Wanda Alston. She has set such a great foundation for me and other Council members to build on,” she said.

“Her focus on inclusivity and intersectionality is really important as we approach this work,” Crawford added. “And it’s going to guide my work at the Council every day.”

Crawford was appointed to the D.C. Council in January of this year to replace then Council member Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-Large), who resigned to run for D.C. mayor as a Democrat. She is being challenged by four other independent candidates in a June 16 special election for the Council seat.

Under the city’s Home Rule Charter written and approved by Congress, the seat is one of two D.C. Council at-large seats that cannot be held by a “majority party” candidate, meaning a Democrat.

A statement released by the Alston Foundation last month announcing Crawford’s selection for the Wanda Alston Legacy Award praised Crawford’s record of support for its work on behalf of LGBTQ youth.

“From behind the scenes to now serving as an At-Large Council member, she has fought fearlessly for affordable housing, LGBTQ+ funding priorities, and racial justice,” the statement says. “Council member Crawford’s leadership reflects the same courage and conviction that defined Wanda’s legacy.”

Organizers of the event noted that it was held on what would have been Wanda Alston’s 67th birthday.

“Today’s legacy reception was a smashing success,” said Cesar Toledo, the Alston Foundation’s executive director. “Not only did we come together to celebrate Wanda Alston on her birthday, but we also were able to raise over $10,000 for our homeless LGBTQ youth here in D.C.,” Toledo told the Blade.

“In addition to that, we celebrated and we acknowledged a rising star in our community,” he said. “And that is At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, who we named the inaugural Wanda Alston Legacy Award recipient.”

At the request of D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) the Council voted unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026, to appoint Crawford to the Council seat being vacated by McDuffie.

Council records show she joined McDuffie’s Council staff in 2022 as a policy adviser and later became his legislative director before McDuffie appointed her as staff director for the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development for which McDuffie served as chair.