WASHINGTON – A homophobic slur preceded a fatal stabbing in Southeast D.C. on Saturday morning.

D.C. police say Michael Poth, 20, of Southeast D.C., has been charged with second-degree murder. They say he stabbed and killed 23-year-old Philip Bushong of Camp Lejeune, N.C., on the 700 block of 8th Street SE.

Bushong was found near the Eastern Market Metro station shortly after 2:30 a.m., suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Police say the two men had a verbal exchange during which Poth used a homophobic slur before he stabbed Bushong, a Marine.

In a picture posted on his Facebook page in November, Poth is wearing a Marine uniform that indicates he is a lance corporal.

Bushong was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

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