Chaotic scenes unfolded in Washington, D.C., on Halloween night as National Guard troops pursued a group of young people near the Navy Yard. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reported responding to a large assembly of juveniles who were allegedly “fighting and obstructing the flow of traffic.”
Five individuals, including four juveniles, were arrested and face charges such as possession of a prohibited weapon, public marijuana consumption, and resisting arrest. A sergeant reportedly suffered minor injuries while trying to restore order in the park.
Police Chief Pamela Smith expressed concern about the events, asserting the behavior witnessed at the Navy Yard was unacceptable. She indicated that law enforcement would bolster their presence to prevent a recurrence.
According to police, around 7:30 p.m., officers observed groups of juveniles gathering in a park area between Southeast First Street and New Jersey Avenue, near the Navy Yard subway station. By 8 p.m., the numbers swelled to “several hundred boys.”
Initially, the crowd was calm, but as the night went on, some individuals began fighting and disregarding instructions to stay on the sidewalk, which escalated tensions.
The police department noted that additional officers, along with Metro Transit Police, Capitol Police, and National Guard members, worked to clear the park and guide youths to the subway station. The group finally dispersed around 11:00 p.m., with authorities maintaining a strong presence throughout the night to deter further illegal activities.
Video footage captured by locals showed the National Guard pursuing young people through the park. The National Guard’s deployment to D.C. has been extended until at least February 2026, according to a recent report.
In response to the escalating crime in the capital, the Trump administration is expanding the D.C. Task Force and has launched a new employment portal for law enforcement and civilians alike.
