Chaos erupted in Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard on Halloween night as hundreds of juveniles descended on Canal Park and engaged in fights, disorderly conduct, and outright mayhem.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), backed by D.C. National Guard troops, was forced to intervene around 7:30 p.m. on Friday after reports of large groups engaging in violent behavior.
One MPD officer was injured during the melee, suffering non-life-threatening injuries while attempting to restore order.
“Initially the group was peaceful and did not disrupt the area. As the evening progressed, many of the juveniles within the group began engaging in fights and disrupting the flow of traffic, repeatedly ignoring instructions to remain on sidewalks,” the MPD said in a statement to Fox News.
“Additional MPD members and our partners, including Metro Transit Police, United States Capitol Police, the National Guard, and members of the Federal Task Force, responded to the area, closing streets and engaging the group to restore order,” the department continued.