Vandalism Incident at Atlanta Hotel During Global Black Pride Event

On August 28, 2024, Atlanta Police officers were dispatched to The Starling Atlanta Midtown Hotel at 188 14th St. NE following reports of vandalism that affected vendors preparing for the upcoming Global Black Pride weekend. Preliminary investigations indicate the damage was caused by an intoxicated hotel guest during the late hours of August 27.

According to the incident report, Officer B. Hayes of the LGBTQ Liaison Unit responded to the call after hotel staff discovered the vandalism. The Sequoia banquet room, where vendors had set up for the event, was found in disarray. Tables, pamphlets, display stands, and other items were thrown across the floor, and fecal matter was smeared on a Pride flag belonging to one of the vendors, Transwave Jamaica. The vendors had left the room locked at around 2:00 a.m., and it is believed entry was made through an unlocked rear door.

Multiple vendors reported missing or damaged property. Rahkel Henry with the TWOC Healing Project reported a damaged sound bath bowl and a missing second one. Otties Woods from the House of Pink Ladies stated that a costume was damaged, and an HP laptop power cord, along with Razer Bluetooth glasses, were missing. Toni-Michelle from SnapCo Solutions noted that while no items were missing, their booth had been thrown about and had to be reassembled. Other missing items included an Apple iPad, a carton of eggs, a container of lubricant, whips, restraints, and “Dude Wipes” from various vendor booths.

Hotel General Manager Timothy Michaud stated that a security guard found an intoxicated man, identified as Ralph George Drabic III, inside the Sequoia room around 6:00 a.m. on August 28. Drabic, who was staying at the hotel, was escorted back to his room (Room 709). Later that morning, at around 10:00 a.m., Drabic approached Michaud in the hotel lobby, inquiring about a missing cellphone. Hotel security had recovered the phone from the vandalized Sequoia room, along with Drabic’s business card, linking him to the incident. However, Drabic left the hotel before he could be further questioned.

The investigation continues as Homeland Security and Crime Scene technicians process evidence. The Apple iPhone found at the scene has been placed into evidence. Victims and hotel staff have been provided with evidence submission links for video and photos. The Atlanta Police Department is working to gather additional information and footage related to the case.

The incident remains under investigation, and the case number was provided to all affected vendors.