Orlando Police have arrested a local gay bar vandal, and law enforcement has determined there was no indication that this act was motivated by prejudice or hate.
On January 18th, around 3:41am, an adult male was seen on video vandalizing a gay business, Orlando’s District Dive, located at 2401 East South Street. At the time, the local establishment and Orlando Democrats claimed a hate crime occurred, but Orlando police have said there is no indication of that in this case.
The business was closed at the time it was vandalized and there were no employees or patrons present. According to the Orlando Police Department, law enforcement was notified of the incident at approximately 9:07am, at which time officers responded to the scene.
Since the incident was reported, OPD Violent Crimes detectives have been working diligently to resolve this case. They identified the suspect as Martin Narvaez.
He was interviewed by detectives and confessed to committing the crime. According to OPD, there is no indication that this act was motivated by prejudice or hate. The suspect is actually a long-term employee of the business, according to police.
At the time, many around Orlando were worried of a hate crime. “Early Wednesday morning between the hours of 3:30a and 4:00a the Southern Nights Complex (District Dive,Southern Craft and Southern Nights) was a target of a suspected hate crime,” the business posted on social media.
“Awful and unacceptable — we will do everything we can to find out who did this and remain committed to LGBTQ+ equality and safety for all,” said Democratic State Representative Anna Eskamani.
“I am disgusted to hear about an attack on a downtown community establishment,” added State Representative Rita Harris, also a Democrat. “Hate has no home here. Our LGBTQIA community has the right to feel safe.”
At the time of the incident, OPD stated they had not determined a motive, and it turns out there was no hate crime in Orlando – just more crime.
Narvaez was incarcerated on a probationary violation and is additionally being charged with Felony Criminal Mischief and Throwing a Deadly Missile, according to OPD.
