Man hurls beer keg through window of famed Georgetown Cupcake shop; owners release surveillance to aid investigation
A man hurled a full‑size metal beer keg through the front window of the iconic Georgetown Cupcake bakery around 11 p.m. Sunday, shattering the storefront; no injuries were reported and surveillance footage was released to aid the police investigation.
- Location: Georgetown Cupcake, 3301 M St NW (33rd & M), Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
- Incident: Adult male lifted and threw a full‑size metal beer keg through the large plate‑glass front window; keg landed inside, window shattered.
- Response: Surveillance video was posted by owners to assist the Metropolitan Police Department; no arrests announced.
- Tips: Contact Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202‑730‑1903 or submit an anonymous tip to MPD at 202‑727‑9099 (email: RICARDO.LEIVA@dc.gov).
Surveillance footage and the attack
Owners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman released surveillance video showing an adult male wearing a green T‑shirt and light tan pants carry a metal beer keg along the sidewalk, pause in front of the bakery, struggle to lift the keg above his head and then throw it forcefully through the shop’s large plate‑glass window. The impact shattered the window, pushed display shelving inward and left the keg on the floor inside.
Photos taken early Monday show shattered glass across the sidewalk and inside the store. Owners said employees were present and could have been seriously injured; one employee told police they heard a loud crash and ran to the back of the store for safety.
Police response and investigation
Officers from MPD’s Second District responded to a property damage call late Sunday and found the front window fully shattered and a beer keg inside. MPD said the suspect walked northbound on the 1200 block of 33rd St NW after the attack. The case is being investigated as property damage/vandalism, with no confirmed motive, no indication of theft and no arrests reported.
“The business has multiple cameras inside and outside; the owners later posted the footage publicly to assist with identification.”
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is urged to contact Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202‑730‑1903 or the MPD anonymous tip line at 202‑727‑9099. Tips may also be submitted via the MPD tip page at MPD submit a tip.
Owners, reputation and public appeal
Sisters Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Berman, founders of Georgetown Cupcake and known from the Discovery/TLC series DC Cupcakes (2010–2013), said they released the footage after MPD responded so the public could help identify the man and ensure he “can have his just desserts.”
The shop, a neighborhood and tourist staple, has long had a visible presence — including a past round‑the‑clock livestream — which helped spur widespread sharing of the footage by residents and national outlets.
Sequence of events captured on video
- Man carries a full‑size metal beer keg along the sidewalk toward Georgetown Cupcake.
- He stops directly in front of the shop’s large window, struggles to lift the keg, then throws it forcefully through the glass.
- The window explodes; shelving is knocked inward and the keg lands inside the storefront.
- The suspect then walks away northbound on 33rd St NW.
Damage and safety concerns
Physical damage appears limited to the storefront’s large plate‑glass window and display shelving; repairs will require full window replacement and cleanup. Owners emphasized the human risk: employees were on site and could have been hurt. MPD reported no injuries.
Context and caution against overreach
Some coverage linked the vandalism to wider discussions about youth‑involved incidents and public safety in D.C., but investigators have not released any motive and there is no public evidence connecting this suspect to other incidents. Reporting accuracy matters: for example, a commentator’s title was mischaracterized in some stories — Jeanine Pirro is a media personality and former judge, not the U.S. Attorney for D.C.
How the public can help
The owners’ public release of surveillance footage aims to crowd‑source identification. If you recognize the suspect, contact Detective Ricardo Leiva at 202‑730‑1903, email RICARDO.LEIVA@dc.gov, or submit an anonymous tip to MPD at 202‑727‑9099 or MPD submit a tip. Owners and MPD encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Implications for San Diego, California
Though the incident occurred in Washington, D.C., national coverage can prompt local businesses in places like San Diego to reassess storefront security, insurance and emergency protocols. Practical steps include checking camera coverage and lighting, considering protective film or bollards, and rehearsing shelter‑in‑place procedures with staff.
Political and social effects: The event may renew debate on public safety and law enforcement resourcing while highlighting risks to frontline workers and the value of community solidarity and prevention measures.
Sources
- Georgetown Cupcake official site and social channels: Twitter, Instagram
- Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) — main site and MPD contact/tips
- FOX 5 DC coverage: FOX 5 DC
- WJLA/7News coverage: WJLA/7News
- Fox News coverage: Fox News
Tip contact (repeated): Detective Ricardo Leiva — 202‑730‑1903; MPD anonymous tip line — 202‑727‑9099; email: RICARDO.LEIVA@dc.gov.
