“walking home from work shortly before 6pm..without any warning, one of them (5-6 teens) punched me on the side of the head” then kept walking

Photo by PoPville flickr user Brett Weinstein

“Dear PoPville,

Last Tuesday (1/5), I was walking home from work shortly before 6pm. I was heading North on 9th St. NW. Just below the corner of Allison St., I saw a group of 5 or 6 boys who looked to be between 12 and 15 years old heading in my direction. I didn’t give it much thought, but as we passed by each other, without any warning, one of them punched me on the side of the head and knocked me to the ground.

Fortunately, they kept moving, and by the time I was back on my feet, they were already well down the block. They made no attempt to rob me or inflict any more blows on me, but obviously it was pretty unpleasant. I had previously heard reports of kids playing the so-called “Knock-Out Game” but hadn’t give the idea much credence. It appears, however, that this is a real thing and that it’s happening right here in Petworth, so I urge everyone to be extra careful when out on the streets after dark.”

Ed. Note: In the past talk of the “Knock-Out Game” has veered the discussion off course, I think that the important element of this note is that there was another unprovoked attack by teens where nothing was stolen.