A transgender 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the back aboard a Metro train Wednesday afternoon, D.C. police say.
The attack at the Fort Totten station on the green line going toward Branch Avenue was reported just after 4:30 p.m.
The girl's friends told News4 the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Reginald Anthony Klaiber, came up to the group inside the train and insulted the victim's appearance, asking why she was wearing a wig and commenting on what she was wearing.
According to documents, the victim repeatedly told Klaiber to leave her alone, but he was persistent and asked her, "Are you a boy? Are you a boy? ... Why you be looking like a girl?"
Documents say that when the train stopped at Fort Totten station, both the victim and Klaiber got up. That's when documents say Klaiber grabbed her from behind in a bear hug and stabbed her in the back. Documents say one of the victim's friends then sprayed Klaiber with pepper spray.
The victim and her two friends then ran off the train with Klaiber giving chase, documents say, shouting, "I'm going to [stab you] again!"
Klaiber was apprehended shortly after and charged with assault with deadly weapon.
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Metro Police say the charges include the possibility of enhanced penalties for hate or bias motivation. If convicted, Klaiber could be subject to a 1.5-time enhancement under D.C. law.
According to court records uncovered by News4, Klaiber has a lengthy criminal history that includes previous charges of assault and resisting arrest.
