Investigation Update – Charges Filed

On August 29, 2025, York City Police charged Devin Harbaugh in relation to the incident that occurred on August 22, 2025, in Downtown York. The charges include aggravated assault and strangulation.

Message from Commissioner Muldrow

 “AGAIN, I’d like to apologize to "Vayne", the Group of victims, and the Community as a whole. Incidents like these should NOT occur anywhere. BUT, when and if they do; I’m Thankful that I work for the kind of agency I do, with the kind of incredible Officers, Investigators, and Administration, I have, who aren’t afraid to take another look, in order to "Do the Right Thing", defend people, and make things right... I’m Thankful that (in York) WE are surrounded by people, and businesses, and agencies (*like Gift Horse Brewing, Downtown Inc, the Human Relations Commission, and the DA’s Office), who still believe in being Good Neighbors and GETTING INVOLVED (*whether "Physically" - intervening and breaking up encounters, "Technologically" - sharing camera footage, or "Supportively" - by advocating, being a Voice, making those 911 calls, or standing as a Witness)... and I’m Thankful that I live in the kind of COMMUNITY that knows how to Show Up, do the right thing, and SUPPORT PEOPLE (regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, background, or address). So on behalf of myself, my Department, and local Government, I’m proud to demonstrate (to the best of our abilities) - YORK has no time and no tolerance for HATE of any kind. I can’t say it enough (and I won’t even try), Thank You YORK! 

-Michael Muldrow, Commissioner, York City PD

Message from Human Relations Commission Executive Director Clare Twomey

A hate crime is a criminal act that often culminates in violence which is motivated by prejudice or biasagainst a person or group based on identity or characteristics such as, but not limited to: race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability. The act is often targeted towards a specific person and yet has overwhelming effects on the specific community(s) to which that individual belongs. The trauma it instills has profound consequences on the individual and the community which has historically been targeted in various mediums including, but not limited to, media and Government.

In 1998, a 21 year old student from Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, was lured from a bar by two men posing to be gay. They drove him to a deserted rural location, tied him to a barbed wire fence, brutally beat him and left him to die because he was gay.  Although he was found 18 hours later still tied to the fence, he was in a coma, and died of his injuries 4 days later. The news of this horrendous crimes sent shock and fear throughout the LGBTQIA+ community nationwide. It prompted widespread activism to pass Federal Legislation to include LGBTQIA+ humans in the protected classes who are often targets of hate crimes. It wasn’t until 2009 that such legislation was passed by way of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA).  According to the Human Rights Campaign, “The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act sends an important message to our nation that the federal government will not tolerate violent crimes that target individuals because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or other characteristics. Passage of the HCPA does not, however, end the need for state lawmakers to address hate-motivated crimes that terrorize communities across our country. Every state must consider ways to use state laws to supplement the HCPA.”

There is no doubt that everyone involved in the investigation of this atrocity that traumatized those beautiful souls attempting to enjoy an evening out, which also directly affected the LGBTQIA+ community at large, sees this for what it is: an unadulterated hate crime! However, the Commonwealth does not recognize this to be the case.  While number of PA jurisdictions have passed anti-discrimination laws and protections for an inclusive number of underrepresented groups for those municipalities, the PA Legislature has not and continues to lag pathetically behind in providing these protections.  While legislation has been brought before our State representatives, hate crime legislation has failed to pass time and time again, leaving the LGBTQIA+ communities, among a number of other underrepresented groups, without anti-hate protections. The attempts to render entire groups of targeted Commonwealth citizens without these protections, is a travesty as best, and at worst a ‘hate crime’ in and of itself. It send the message that some in PA as not deserving of the same rights and privileges as other, relegating a large portion of humanity to less than or second class citizenship. We all deserve better. The climate of hate, promoted by bias, prejudice and discrimination, harms us all. The emotional and physical traumatic toll is takes on targeted victims also affects those perpetrators who carry such hate. This is not a society conducive to unity, acceptance and the ability to thrive. The focus instead, remains on division and a false sense of differences. We have to do better Pennsylvania!

The Human Relations Commission calls on all citizens, equity stakeholders, educators, legislators, to demand that hate crime protections extend to not only those currently addressed but to all those communities who are at risk. We must take a personal and community stand against hate and fight for the respect and dignity of all humanity.  

The HRC remains committed to stay in this fight with like driven collaborators. We are always available to anyone who has been a victim of discrimination or hate speech or a hate crime. We are here for you and we call on all of York City, York County and Pennsylvania to be equally committed to seeking justice, decrying hate and standing up for one another.