A 15-year-old transgender girl was stabbed in the back aboard a Green Line Metro train toward Branch Avenue Wednesday afternoon, D.C. police say.

The incident was reported just after 4:30 p.m. aboard a train at the Fort Totten station.

The girl's friends told News4 the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Reginald Anthony Klaiber, came up to the group inside the train and insulted the victim's appearance, asking why she was wearing a wig and commenting on what she was wearing.

Klaiber was apprehended after witnesses pointed him out to police, and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Metro Police say the charges include the possibility of enhanced penalties for hate/bias motivation. If convicted, Klaiber could be subject to a 1.5-time enhancement under D.C. law.

According to court records uncovered by News4, Klaiber has a lengthy criminal history, that includes previous charges of assault and resisting arrest.

Stay with NBCWashington.com and News4 as this story develops.