WASHINGTON -- Two teens have been arrested in connection to the assault and robbery of a veteran Marine sergeant, D.C. police said.
Police said one 17-year-old male and one 17-year-old female were involved in the attack. The male was charged with aggravated assault and the female was charged with robbery.
Christopher Marquez, a Bronze Star recipient, who served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2011, told police he was assaulted while eating at a McDonald's.
Marquez said he believes the February 12th attack was racially motivated.
“The kids were asking me if I think that black lives mattered,” Marquez told the Marine Corps Times. “I was ignoring them, just because I felt intimidated. I felt how they approached me, it was very hostile. I felt they were really trying to intimidate me and just trying to start a confrontation with me.”
One of the suspects allegedly hit Marquez with a gun after calling him a racist, according to a police report.
The suspects took Marquez’ wallet, identification, credit cards, debit card and about $400 in cash, the report says.
Police say a third suspect was involved in the assault.
Contributing: The Marine Corps Times