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Man arrested after Pride decorations destroyed graffiti sprayed in DC: Police


{p}Photo of Pride decorations being vandalized in D.C. on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Video courtesy of Caleb Files){/p}

Photo of Pride decorations being vandalized in D.C. on Monday, June 2, 2025. (Video courtesy of Caleb Files)

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A man is facing charges after police said he destroyed Pride decorations and defaced private property in two separate incidents in the District.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced Tuesday morning that 30-year-old Michael Isaiah Webb Jr. of Landover, Maryland, was arrested Sunday in the Navy Yard neighborhood.

Police said the first incident happened around 7:42 p.m. on June 2 in the Unit block of Dupont Circle NW. Officers responded to a report of property destruction and discovered that rainbow-colored cloth, which had been wrapped around light poles in honor of Pride Month, had been destroyed. Police said the suspect fled the area before officers arrived.

Two days later, on June 4, around 7:58 a.m., officers were called to the 600 block of Maine Avenue SW and found that the suspect had defaced private property with graffiti, spraying offensive language.

RELATED | Pride decorations vandalized in Dupont Circle area amid WorldPride

Authorities reviewed photos and video from both incidents and worked to identify the suspect.

On June 8, officers familiar with the cases spotted Webb and arrested him without incident.

Webb is charged with destruction of property and defacing private property.

7News first reported on the vandalism incidents on June 5 ahead of WorldPride weekend events.

“As a queer person, it definitely made me uncomfortable," said Caleb Files, who said he recorded a video of the offense that happened Monday.

He pointed to political rhetoric and the Trump administration's rollbacks of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives as fanning the flames for intolerance.

"It’s kind of been indicative of the way I felt since January in the District, and it's part of the reason why I've spent as little time as possible in the District over the last couple of months," Files said.

MPD is investigating this case as potentially being motivated by hate or bias.

Police said the designation can be changed at any point as an investigation proceeds and more information is gathered. A designation as a hate crime by MPD does not mean that prosecutors will prosecute it as a hate crime. The Special Liaison Branch is assisting with this investigation.

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