Possible Hate Crime in Assault at Olney Restaurant: Police

OLNEY, MD — A slur about two men's sexual orientation at an Olney bar and restaurant early Saturday led to a fight that is being investigated by Montgomery County Police as a hate-based incident.

The brawl happened about 2:50 a.m. at the Greene Turtle bar and restaurant, 18101 Town Center Drive for the report of an assault in progress. According to investigators, a group of four people were at the bar later in the evening, while another larger group of people sat at the other end of the bar.

At closing time, members of the larger group began to leave the business when a man from that group poured a glass of water on two of the men in the smaller group. Witnesses told police the man referred to them "in a derogatory manner in regard to sexual orientation and began challenging them to a fight."

Both groups left the restaurant and some of the member fought in the parking lot.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services took two men to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the altercation.

Detectives believe that they have identified the adult male suspect who poured water on the two victims and they continue to work to identify all those involved in this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 240-773-5530. Callers may remain anonymous.