Man allegedly attacked outside Dupont Circle Shake Shack, MPD investigates suspected hate crime

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it is investigating a suspected hate crime after a man was allegedly attacked outside Shake Shack in Dupont Circle on Saturday night.

Shortly after 6 p.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery at Shake Shack at 1802 Jefferson Place Northwest, according to the police report.

The incident was captured on cell phone videos taken by passersby. It apparently showed Shake Shack employees beating a man in front of the restaurant. The video has since circulated on social media and attracted attention and outrage.

Police identified the man attacked as Christian Dingus.

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Dingus told police that he had been attacked by several people. Emergency personnel treated him at the scene for minor injuries to his body.

Dingus told DC News Now that the ordeal occurred after an employee took issue with him kissing his male friend in the restaurant.

The police report states that the suspect acted in self-defense after Dingus put his hands on his neck.

Shake Shack said it was aware of the situation and had suspended the affected employees in the following statement:

“We are aware of the incident on Saturday, August 17 involving Team Members and a guest at our Dupont Circle location and are taking it very seriously. At Shake Shack, the safety and well-being of our guests and Team Members is our top priority and we have a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of violence. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation and have suspended the Team Members involved pending further investigation. We are committed to taking appropriate action based on the findings.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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