Tony Randolph Hunter, the victim of an assault outside Mt. Vernon Square nightclub BeBar, has died, Metro Weekly reports. Hunter, a gay man, was struck in the back of the head while walking near the club on the evening September 7th. He died yesterday afternoon.

The incident is being investigated as a hate crime by MPD. Hunter’s assault is one of several recent incidents that have heightened attention on hate crime investigation in the District. I’ll update with more as the investigation continues.

Update: Feministing has a piece on the perceived spike of LGBT-related hate crimes in the District. Miriam notes that “Nationally, around 16% of hate crimes are LGBT related. In DC, it’s 60%.” Miriam also points readers to the resurgence of D.C.’s GLBT Anti-Violence Group, or “GLOV.” GLOV was active in the 1990’s, but stopped meeting in recent years. On Monday, Sept. 22, the group will begin meeting again. Interested parties can join GLOV at the law offices of Dewey and LeBoeuf, 1101 New York Avenue NW, at 7:30 p.m.