Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested a man who allegedly hit another man in the face with an unknown object Friday near 19th and M streets.

The man suffered severe lacerations from the alleged attack that occurred at about 2 a.m., and emergency medical officials brought him to the hospital for treatment, MPD public information officer Paul Metcalf said. MPD charged the suspect with assault with a dangerous weapon.

The alleged victim reported he was walking with a witness when someone ran by and bumped them. The suspect, a white male about 6’3” and 180 pounds with black hair and an olive complexion, and a group of people with him “exchanged words” with the alleged victim and witness, and an “altercation” followed, Metcalf said.

This post was updated July 1, 2013 to reflect the following:

Correction appended

The Hatchet incorrectly spelled MPD public information officer Paul Metcalf’s name. The correct spelling is now reflected. We regret this error.