District of Columbia
D.C. police arrest two juveniles for robbery of gay man who died
Ongoing investigation has yet to link teen suspects to death of beloved DJ
D.C. police announced they have arrested two teenage boys, 14 and 16 years old, in connection with the Oct. 27 robbery of gay DJ and hairstylist Bryan Smith, who died 11 days later on Nov. 7 from fatal head injuries that police have yet to definitively link to the robbery.
D.C. Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith announced the arrests at a Nov. 15 press conference held at the intersection of Vermont Avenue and U Street, N.W., near where police detectives believe the two juvenile suspects targeted Smith and other victims in three separate robbery related incidents.
“We are here today to announce the arrest of two suspects responsible for a series of robberies in this community on Sunday, Oct. 27, including the robbery of 39-year-old Bryan Smith, who was walking home in the 500 block of T Street, N.W.,” Smith told the press conference.
“On behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department as well as myself, I send my deepest condolences to Mr. Smith’s family as well as his friends,” Chief Smith said. “While nothing can undo this senseless loss, we hope today’s arrests are of some measure of justice and a step toward healing,” she said.
D.C. Assistant Police Chief Ramey Kyle, who heads the department’s Investigative Services Bureau and who also spoke at the press conference, gave a detailed description of the police investigation that led to the arrest of the two teen suspects on robbery related charges. But he did not say the two suspects have been linked to the injuries that caused Smith’s death.
“Those suspects are charged with three counts of robbery and one count of assault to commit robbery,” Kyle said at the press conference. But the assault he referred to was against another robbery victim in one of the incidents separate from the robbery of Smith.
“They face additional charges of unlawful use of a vehicle, fraud, receiving stolen property, and unlawful possession of ammunition,” he said, adding that there was no evidence to show the two suspects used a firearm in the robbery of Smith and the others they targeted on Oct. 27.
Kyle said the two teens were linked to the robbery of Bryan Smith and other victims in three nearby locations through video surveillance camera footage, some of which police released to the public to seek help in identifying the suspects. However, he did not say whether any of the video footage showed the suspects assaulting Bryan Smith.
“Tragically, Mr. Smith succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 7,” he told news reporters at the press conference. “His death is still under investigation. Additional charges may be brought depending on the results of additional testing requested by the Northern Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office.”
In response to reporters’ questions, Chief Smith and Kyle said Bryan Smith, who had been taken to a D.C. hospital at the time he was found unconscious on the 500 block of T Street, N.W., around the time of the robbery, was transferred through arrangement by members of his family to a Northern Virginia hospital, where he later died on Nov. 7.
Kyle said D.C. police investigators were waiting for the Northern Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of Smith’s death, which would provide the information D.C. police need to determine if murder charges should be brought against the two teen suspects.
People who knew Bryan Smith said they believe he was working as a DJ in the hours before he was found unconscious, according to a D.C. police report, on the sidewalk in front of a house at 514 T St., N.W. The house is on a residential street near the gay bar Uproar.
D.C. Police Chief Smith told the press conference detectives had been working “around the clock” to identify the suspects now charged with the robbery of Bryan Smith and the other victims.
“We are here to send a very clear message today,” she said. “If you commit violence in our city, we will find you and we will hold you accountable. We will take every act of violence seriously,” Smith continued. “And every investigation in this case and beyond, we use every tool and technique at our disposal to bring perpetrators to justice and to protect our community.”
Chief Smith also noted at the press conference that the robbery of Bryan Smith and the other robbery related incidents on Oct. 27 linked to the two arrested juveniles were not related to the assault that same morning against 22-year-old Sebastian Thomas Robles Lascarro.
Lascarro, a gay man, told police as many as 15 men and women attacked and assaulted him at the McDonald’s restaurant at 14th and U Street, N.W., with some yelling anti-gay slurs.
D.C. police, who have listed that incident as a suspected hate crime, arrested a 16-year-old male on Nov. 7 on a charge of Assault With Significant Bodily Injury in connection with the McDonald’s assault against Lascarro.
“I also want to address some concerns we heard from the community in the last few weeks,” Chief Smith said at the Nov. 15 press conference. “There is no indication at this time that these four robbery cases were motivated by hate or bias,” she said.
“There is no connection between these offenses and a particularly hate motivated assault that occurred that morning in the 1900 block of 14th Street, N.W,” Smith said in referring to the McDonald’s assault targeting Lascarro.
District of Columbia
Mary’s House founder, CEO retires
Dr. Imani Woody played leading role in opening DC’s first home for LGBTQ seniors
The board of directors for Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC’s first official home dedicated to providing affordable housing for LGBTQ seniors, announced on July 7 that its founding president and CEO, Dr. Imani Woody, has retired.
Woody, who holds a PhD in Human Services, is credited with playing a leading role over many years in arranging both city and private funding needed to construct and operate the Mary’s House three-story building located at 401 Anacostia Road, S.E., in the city’s Fort Dupont neighborhood.
The house, which opened in March 2025, with a grand opening ceremony held in May 2025, includes 15 single-occupancy residential units and more than 5,000 square feet of shared communal living space.
“It is with profound gratitude and hearts full of celebration that the board of directors of Mary’s House for Older Adults, DC (MHFOA) announces the retirement of our visionary founder, Dr. Imani Woody, from her role as president and CEO,” the Mary’s House board says in a statement.
“Dr. Woody’s journey with Mary’s House began with her vision and a kitchen table gathering of women with a bold, urgent, and loving vision: to create safe, affirming, affordable housing for LGBTQ/SGL older adults in Washington, DC,” the statement says.
It adds, “What started as a dream has grown into DC’s first affordable LGBTQ+/SGL affirming communal living space for adults 60 and over, a 15-room community residence at 401 Anacostia Road in Southeast Washington.”
The statement says Woody will continue to serve on Mary’s House board.
“The board will be sharing information about the leadership transition process in the coming weeks,” the statement continues. “We are committed to honoring Dr. Woody’s legacy by ensuring Mary’s House continues to thrive and grow in faithful service to LGBTQ/SGL elders experiencing housing insecurity and isolation.”
District of Columbia
SMYAL receives $25,000 award for ‘courageous acts’
D.C. group provides support services for LGBTQ youth
The D.C.-based organization SMYAL, which provides services for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area, including housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced on June 30 that it received a $25,000 award for its “courageous acts” in support of the community it serves.
The award was a monetary grant from The Courage Project, which describes itself as a “national initiative investing in acts of courage and compassion that strengthens our communities and democracy.”
A statement on its website says it was launched in May 2025 and is funded and backed by leading national foundations in the U.S.
“At SMYAL, we are deeply grateful to receive support from The Courage Project and are inspired by their bold investment in LGBTQ+ youth at such a critical moment,” SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan said in a statement. “For queer and trans young people, simply showing up as themselves each day requires immense courage, and that courage is strengthened when organizations like The Courage Project stand behind them loudly, proudly, and without hesitation,” Whelan said.
In its statement announcing the award SMYAL says The Courage Project will recognize SMYAL and other awardees and their work on July 3 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of a special interfaith service marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.
“The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery – the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level,” the project states on its website.
District of Columbia
Longtime Blade staffer Stephen Rutgers steps down after 14 years
Plans to focus on running Crush Dance Bar, other ventures
Longtime Washington Blade employee Stephen Rutgers announced he is stepping down after 14 years to focus on other ventures, including his part ownership of the popular Crush Dance Bar.
Rutgers was hired by the Blade in 2012 to help plan Pride festivities and over the years was promoted to director of sales and marketing. In addition to his broad set of responsibilities, Rutgers planned the annual Pride on the Pier celebration at the Wharf, which has exploded in popularity over the seven years since its launch.
“Watching Pride on the Pier grow from a new community event into one of D.C.’s signature Pride celebrations has been incredibly rewarding,” Rutgers said. “Expanding Pride on the Pier into a two-day festival for WorldPride in 2025 was definitely a career highlight. Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate our community while supporting the Blade’s mission is something I’ll always be proud of.”
Rutgers described his biggest challenge as navigating the changing media landscape.
“More than ever, we’ve had to remind our community that local journalism matters and that it needs their support,” he said.
He added that he’s most proud of helping to ensure the Washington Blade is positioned to thrive for the next 50 years.
“I was fortunate to be part of the Blade during its 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects its incredible history and impact,” Rutgers said. “The Blade has been an important voice for the LGBTQ community for more than five decades, and knowing I played a small part in helping its future is most important to me.”
Blade Publisher Brian Pitts praised Rutgers for juggling multiple responsibilities.
“We wish Stephen all the best,” Pitts said. “For the past 14 years, Stephen has been a vital part of the Blade, handling many things — marketing and advertising, sponsorships, and Blade signature events. We will all miss him.”
Blade Editor Kevin Naff thanked Rutgers for his years of service to the community.
“After 14 years, it’s hard to imagine the Blade without Stephen and his boundless energy and creativity,” Naff said. “He’s one of the hardest working and most dedicated people I’ve ever known and he will be missed. But change is the only constant and I know Stephen will move on successfully to new challenges and the Blade will expand on Stephen’s important work.”
As for what’s next for Rutgers, he said he plans to focus on Crush as well as his real estate business.
“I’ve always been someone who likes to stay busy,” Rutgers said. “For the past 12 years, I’ve balanced my work at the Blade and in real estate. Two years ago when I opened Crush, I never realized just how much time and energy it would take. The passing of my father earlier this year also gave me a new perspective. It reminded me that life is short and that it’s important to make time for the people and experiences that matter most. Stepping away from the Blade will allow me to focus on those ventures while also creating more balance in my life. After 14 incredible years, it feels like the right time for a new chapter.”
Naff said that for now Rutgers’s responsibilities will be divided between existing staff along with several new freelance contractors.
“The Washington Blade plays a unique role in our community’s fight for equality,” Rutgers said. “It’s the only LGBTQ news organization with White House credentials, giving it direct access to the people and institutions shaping policies that affect our community. The Blade continues to hold elected officials accountable, report on the issues that matter most to LGBTQ people, and tell the stories that often go uncovered by mainstream media.
“The Blade has been my family for most of my adult life. For 14 years, it has been part of my daily routine, so it’s going to feel very strange waking up and not logging on each morning.”
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