Chaos erupted in Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood on Halloween night as National Guard members and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers clashed with hundreds of young people, according to video footage. The incident reportedly began around 7:30 p.m. as MPD officers observed several groups of juveniles converging on a park area near the Navy Yard Metro Station. By 8 p.m., the group had swelled to several hundred young people, with some engaging in fights and causing traffic disruptions.
MPD said that as the evening progressed, many of the juveniles began to ignore instructions to stay on sidewalks, leading to increased disorder. In response, police and their partners, including Metro Transit Police, United States Capitol Police, the National Guard, and the Federal Task Force, were deployed to the area. Streets were closed, and the group was cleared from the park by approximately 11:00 p.m. A resident’s footage showed National Guard members running after young people in a park, raising concerns about the use of military forces in civilian law enforcement scenarios.
The deployment of National Guard troops to the streets of D.C. has been extended until at least February 2026, according to Politico. Additionally, the Trump administration is expanding its D.C. Crime Task Force with a nationwide hiring initiative targeting law enforcement and civilians. Chief of Police Pamela Smith stated that the behavior displayed was unacceptable and that increased police presence would be maintained to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Five individuals were taken into custody, including four juveniles, facing charges such as possession of a prohibited weapon, public consumption of marijuana, and resisting arrest. One sergeant suffered minor injuries while attempting to restore order. The incident has highlighted the growing challenges of managing large gatherings and youth behavior in urban areas, prompting concerns about the militarization of police and the effectiveness of ongoing citywide crime-fighting efforts.