Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a homeless man who investigators say slashed a man’s throat near Foggy Bottom.
Fifty-one-year-old Henry Robert Blackwell is wanted on charges of assault with intent to kill from an incident that happened on the afternoon of Nov. 12th at 18th and I streets NW, near George Washington University.
“An individual with such violent tendencies simply cannot be allowed to participate in society,” said Rob Fernandez, commander of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. “We need the community’s assistance in getting him off the streets before he has the opportunity to harm others.”
According to the arrest warrant, Blackwell approached a man whom he had known for about 10 years, pulled out a knife and asked for the $10 the man he owed him.
The man responded that he wasn’t expecting to bump into Blackwell because had hadn’t seen him in a while. All he had was a $5, the man said.
Blackwell took the $5 and started to walk away. The complainant followed Blackwell and asked, “Why did you pull a knife on me?”
Blackwell turned quickly and cut the man’s throat, authorities say. The victim received 20 stitches to close the wound.
Now authorities want to get the suspect off the streets.
Blackwell is described as a black male, 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds with a dark tan complexion. A previous address for him was listed as Fairmont Heights in Prince George’s County.
Authorities do not have a updated photo of Blackwell, but said he has a very distinct semicircular scar on his forehead which starts between his eyes and goes to the top of his forehead on the left side.
Anyone with information on Blackwell’s whereabouts can call the U.S. Marshals Service at 800-336-0102. The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, run by the U.S. Marshals Service, is composed of 30 federal, state and local agencies from Baltimore to Norfolk. The unit has captured more than 29,000 wanted fugitives since its creation in 2004.
