Dear PoPville – Another Disturbing Assault in Logan Circle

View Larger Map

Dear PoPville,

I wanted to make you aware of a recent attack in Logan Circle, particularly after the mugging incident near 15th & Q a couple of weeks ago. A group of about 10 teenagers (approx. 13-14 years old) attacked a man on the north side of Q St near Kingman Pl around 5:30 p.m. last Saturday, May 12.

I noticed a group of teenagers standing near the corner of Kingman & Q on the south side of the street. I did not think much of it, as they seemed to be in good spirits and joking with each other. A few minutes later, I heard some unintelligible yelling from the north side of the street. I could not see what was happening because trees and cars on the north side of Q blocked my view, so I walked across the street. I found a group of neighbors helping a man who had apparently been attacked by the group. We could see some of the teenagers in the distance running east, near the skate park at Rhode Island Ave. They appeared jovial, as if the attack was for fun.

A resident of a nearby home offered the man a seat on her front steps, gave him some water, and helped him treat his scraped wrist. The man called the police, who arrived shortly, and an ambulance came a few minutes later. The man said he was headed toward 14th St when the group crossed Q St to the north side of the street where they quickly approached him. One group member punched him in the face, sending him to the ground where about half of the others in the group continued to hit him while the rest watched. It was NOT a robbery – they did not take anything from him. Neither did they say anything to him prior to the attack.

This attack is especially disturbing given that it occurred in broad daylight on a typically very safe block that has consistent foot traffic, especially on a Saturday afternoon. Furthermore, it was perpetrated (apparently) for fun. However, it was encouraging to see the quick response from neighbors on the block. I hope that spreading word of this incident will help keep people in Logan Circle on the lookout to take action to possibly help prevent future attacks. An area resident said he remembered attacks by smaller groups about 10 years ago and increased police presence put a stop to the problem. If the current trend continues, maybe a similar response is warranted.