Teen takeover at DC’s Navy Yard
On the night of Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Navy Yard neighborhood in Washington, D.C., was overtaken by a large group of juveniles. (Credit: Elissa De Souza)
A former advisor to the Biden White House has become vocal about the rising crime rates in cities run by Democrats, following a chaotic incident where a “juvenile takeover” disrupted the upscale Navy Yard area in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of teenagers descended on the neighborhood, leading to outbreaks of violence, theft, and gunfire.
Yemisi Egbewole expressed concern on X, formerly known as Twitter, after viewing videos of the disorder. “It’s time for blue cities to face reality,” she stated on Sunday. “Allowing such behavior is a disservice to both the residents and the young people involved.”
This upheaval occurred shortly after the city implemented a temporary juvenile curfew zone specifically for Navy Yard. Although a broader curfew for minors is enforced citywide starting at 11 p.m., many believe these youth “takeovers” continue to be a significant issue.
Interim Metropolitan Chief of Police Jeffery W. Carroll, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, addressed the situation to WUSA 9 on Sunday, stating, “The behavior exhibited last night in Navy Yard is unacceptable, and we are grateful no one was seriously harmed.”
He further praised law enforcement for their professionalism in safely confiscating two firearms during the incident. Carroll also emphasized the need for parents and guardians to stay informed about their children’s whereabouts and companions at all times.
In Saturday’s latest outbreak, police say the crowd began forming around 6:30 p.m. ET in a park near First Street and New Jersey Avenue SE, swelling to roughly 200 teens by 8:30 p.m.
Video circulating on social media shows large groups of mostly black-clad teens running through the streets, screaming and fighting as officers tried to disperse the crowd.
Just before 9:15 p.m., police say a group of teens assaulted and robbed another teen of his shoes and jacket. Minutes later, additional fights broke out near First and M Streets SE, according to WUSA 9.
Police in Washington, D.C., made arrests and recovered guns after a large teen gathering in the Navy Yard neighborhood on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Elissa De Souza)
Around 9:45 p.m., National Guard members witnessed a 15-year-old fire a gun into the air inside the park. The teen was quickly apprehended and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, endangerment with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license.
Police say the chaos continued shortly after, when another group of teens jumped and robbed two more juveniles near New Jersey Avenue and M Street. The victims later went to a hospital with injuries.
Hundreds of individuals gathered in Washington, D.C., Navy Yard neighborhood, in an incident that saw violence and arrests.
At about 10:34 p.m., the Secret Service stopped a rideshare vehicle after spotting a suspect matching a police description. A 16-year-old was arrested after officers recovered a firearm he allegedly tried to discard.
In total, two juveniles were arrested and two firearms recovered. Despite the violence, authorities say no serious injuries were reported.
