Man hurls beer keg through Georgetown Cupcake window; owners post surveillance video
Georgetown Cupcake’s Georgetown storefront was vandalized late Sunday when a man hurled a beer keg through the front window around 11 p.m., shattering glass; surveillance video was posted by the owners and MPD seeks public help to ID the suspect.
Key takeaways
- Incident: A man threw a beer keg through the shop’s front window at about 11 p.m. Sunday at 33rd and M Streets NW in Georgetown.
- Suspect: Seen in video wearing a green T‑shirt and tan pants, carrying and then lifting a keg before throwing it through the glass.
- No injuries reported: Employees were on site and could have been hurt; MPD is investigating and seeking tips (202-730-1903 or 202-727-9099).
- Video released: Owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman posted surveillance footage publicly to help identify the suspect.
What happened
Shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday, exterior surveillance cameras captured a man approaching the corner storefront of Georgetown Cupcake carrying what appeared to be a full beer keg. The footage — shared by the shop’s owners on social media — shows him pause on the sidewalk, struggle briefly with the heavy keg, then lift and hurl it through the front window. The glass shattered and the keg ended up inside the store.
“Staff members could have been seriously injured,” the owners said, urging anyone who recognizes the man in the video to contact police.
Who owns the shop and why the video matters
Sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman founded Georgetown Cupcake and rose to national visibility as stars of Discovery’s DC Cupcakes (2010–2013). The bakery’s public use of surveillance footage made the clip widely available after Sunday’s incident, and the owners posted the video to solicit community help identifying the suspect.
Police response and how to help
The Metropolitan Police Department responded and found the storefront window fully shattered; officers reported no injuries. MPD said the suspect was observed walking northbound in the 1200 block of 33rd Street NW after the incident. Detectives are treating the matter as a property-damage investigation and are asking the public for tips.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro police at 202-730-1903 or the tip line at 202-727-9099. An early research summary listed an email for Detective Ricardo Leiva as RICARDO.LEIVA@DIC.GOV; that address appears likely to contain a typo — MPD email addresses typically use the dc.gov domain. For official MPD contact points and guidance on submitting tips, see the Metropolitan Police Department website.
Video description and evidence
The surveillance clips released by the owners include both interior and exterior angles. Exterior footage shows the suspect approaching on the sidewalk wearing a green T‑shirt and tan pants and carrying a keg. Interior footage captures the moment the keg enters the store and glass scatters across the floor. No weapon other than the keg is visible in the footage. Owners and staff stressed they were fortunate no one was harmed.
Neighborhood and timing context
The vandalism occurred in a busy, high-profile part of Georgetown near the Potomac River and not far from where a 2023 incident involving U.S. Secret Service agents occurred. The event follows other high-profile disturbances in the city, including a large fight at a Chipotle in the Navy Yard neighborhood, and contributes to broader local concerns about youth violence and public safety.
Why this matters for small businesses and visitors
For a small, tourism-dependent business, a smashed storefront can mean short-term closures, repair costs and lost revenue. The public nature of the attack — at a well-known corner in a historic neighborhood — also affects perceptions of safety among residents and visitors. Owners posted the video publicly to help identify the person responsible and to underscore staff safety concerns.
Sources and where to find more information
- FOX 5 DC coverage (search: Georgetown Cupcake)
- WJLA/ABC7 coverage (search: Georgetown Cupcake)
- Metropolitan Police Department website for official contact and tip submission guidance
- Georgetown Cupcake official site and social accounts (owners posted video)
Implications for United States
Economic: Repair costs, lost sales and potential insurance increases hit small businesses that rely on foot traffic and tourism. Political: High-profile incidents feed debates on public safety, enforcement and community responsibility. Social: The episode underscores the human cost for employees who work late hours and raises questions about prevention, privacy and community trust.
Practical applications for residents
Citizens can assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious behavior promptly and preserving video evidence. Business owners should review security measures, consider staff safety protocols for late hours, and keep open lines with local police. If you have tips on this case, MPD asks you to call 202-730-1903 or the tip line at 202-727-9099.
Reporting note
This article is based on local television reports and surveillance footage publicly shared by Georgetown Cupcake’s owners. Early reports included a contact email that appears to contain a typographical error; for verified contact points and further details, consult the Metropolitan Police Department website.
