Seven Hospitalized in Stabbings During Northeast D.C. Incident

WASHINGTON — At least seven people were hospitalized following multiple stabbings in Northeast Washington on Thursday afternoon, prompting a significant police response and road closures in the area.

The incidents occurred near Montello Avenue and Simms Place around 3:45 p.m., according to the D.C. Police Department. Officials confirmed that D.C. Fire and EMS crews transported the injured individuals to local hospitals for treatment.

As of 3:50 p.m., police had closed several roads surrounding the site of the stabbings, and officials indicated that road closures could change as the situation develops. A 7News crew is on-site to gather more information.

This incident is one of several stabbing reports that have escalated concerns about violence in the capital. As local authorities seek to determine the circumstances and motives behind the attacks, ongoing investigations are expected to reveal more details.

In a separate but related matter, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith announced Thursday that the newly established Juvenile Investigative Response Unit (JIRU) aims to address rising violent crime committed by juveniles. While overall crime in the District has seen a decline, police report an increase in youth-related offenses.

“We have seen fights in our schools and more serious criminal offenses outside of schools… an increase in juvenile offenses District-wide,” Chief Smith said. The JIRU will specialize in investigating violent crimes committed by individuals under 18, utilizing data-driven analyses to intervene before conflicts escalate.

Data shows a troubling trend, with more than 2,000 young people under 18 arrested in the District in 2023 and 2024 combined. Yet, a recent analysis indicated that youth arrests were lower than pre-pandemic levels, and arrests for gun possession among youth were at their lowest in six years.

“Despite a decrease in some areas, youth accounted for more than half of all robbery arrests last year,” Chief Smith noted during her remarks. Additionally, early statistics for this year reveal that nearly 50% of carjackings reported involved individuals under 18.

Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the city’s accomplishments in reducing overall violent crime, stating that violent crime is down 26% compared to the same time last year. Despite these positive statistics, community leaders, such as Dionne Bussey-Reeder from the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, highlighted factors contributing to youth crime.

“Financial hardships and a lack of guidance are resulting in an increase in youth crime,” Bussey-Reeder explained. “We are witnessing a trend where young individuals feel the need to care for their siblings, which can lead to acts of violence.”

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and updates regarding the stabbings will follow as they are made available.