D.C. police arrested a Maryland man after he allegedly threatened to shoot an employee while using anti-gay slurs at Ben’s Next Door restaurant and bar in Northwest Washington during Memorial Day weekend. Police say 32-year-old Delonte Fraley of Accokeek, Maryland, was arrested Sunday, around 4:20 p.m., after an employee told a bartender not to serve him alcohol. According to a police statement, “The suspect overheard the employee and threatened to shoot the employee and used homophobic slurs against the employee.”
Police say that when the employee left work, Fraley was allegedly standing near the employee’s vehicle. The employee returned to the restaurant and called the police. Officers then took Fraley into custody.
Court records show prosecutors upgraded the charge from Felony Threats (Hate/Bias) to Threatening to Injure or Kidnap a Person. A police affidavit says when the employee told Fraley he was not welcome in the restaurant because of alleged anti-gay remarks, the defendant became irate, stating, ‘I know where your Tesla is at. See me outside faggot, I will slap your ass’ and ‘I will shoot your ass.’”
The incident happened during D.C. Black Pride weekend, when thousands of LGBTQ visitors and supporters were attending events across the city, including gatherings at nearby LGBTQ venues like Nellie’s Sports Bar and Thurst Lounge. A judge later released Fraley on personal recognizance with a stay-away order pending a June 4 preliminary hearing.
It is not clear whether the employee identifies as LGBTQ.
