Police investigating attack as a hate crime

D.C. police are investigating a Sunday assault on two men as a hate crime. The incident happened at about 6 p.m. Sunday at Third and Q streets Northwest. Two men were approached by three people, one of whom used a homophobic slur and punched the victims, said police spokeswoman Officer Tisha Gant. The victims refused treatment. A hate crime could carry a stiffer penalty than an assault without that designation.