Teens involved in large fight in Navy Yard may be connected to nearby robbery

After fights broke out in the Navy Yard area of D.C. Saturday night, police said some of the teens involved may be connected to a nearby robbery.

Video from a News4 viewer shows a large crowd of what appear to be dozens of teens at New Jersey Avenue and M Street SE. Multiple police cruisers responded to the block, and some people appeared to be running away.

D.C. police confirmed Sunday afternoon that a large group of juveniles engaged in disorderly behavior in the Navy Yard area.

A spokesperson for WMATA said a large group of teens were fighting, which caused them to close the New Jersey Avenue side of the Navy Yard-Ballpark station.

No one was arrested, but members of that group are believed to be connected to a nearby robbery where multiple suspects allegedly approached two victims and assaulted them. That crime happened at 9:25 p.m. at Half and M streets, and one of the victims was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As that investigation continues, some residents say they fear for their safety.

“I want my kids, not only my kids, I want everybody to be safe, you know?” Navy Yard resident Narda Loureiro said. “And when I see kids outside, if there is a problem going on, I always kind of think, ‘Are my kids going to be OK in the neighborhood?’”

While a curfew was in effect in Navy Yard on Saturday and Sunday from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. for those under 17, the last time D.C. police transferred a minor to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services for violating the curfew was in April. Some think adjusting the curfew could help.

“I think earlier would probably be better,” Navy Yard resident Annemarie Reisch said. “Twelve is maybe a little bit late for young kids in high school, so maybe around 10 or 11.”

Deshawn Johnson, who works at a restaurant in Navy Yard, said he thinks those who are underage should always be accompanied by adults to avoid future dangerous situations.

“I don't even feel safe working here anymore because that's like all these people who just come in, come out just because they want to have fun,” he said.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith plans to meet with District and community members this week to address concerns, "reinforce our shared commitment to public safety" and talk about solutions, according to a Monday release from police.

"We are also urging parents and guardians to take accountability for knowing where their children are and what they are doing, particularly during the evening and overnight hours," the release from MPD continued. "Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe and helping guide our youth toward positive, productive engagements."

Those who live in the area say it's not the first time they’ve seen groups of young people with no adult supervision in the area. Another video shows a group of minors allegedly with no adult supervision inside a restaurant near M Street SE Saturday night. Johnson, who shared the video with News4, said he had to call police after trying to ask the teens to leave the premises.

“They come down here, they trash everything,” he said. “They treat our place like it's a lounge.”

Last month, D.C. police arrested six young people after fights broke out at The Wharf.

Anyone with information or video related to this weekend's incidents is asked to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.