Kaeden Brown and Four Minors Are Taken Into Custody Following Navy Yard Disorder in Washington DC

A Friday night outing in Washington DC’s Navy Yard took a violent turn when hundreds of teenagers clashed with police and National Guard troops, leaving one officer injured and five youths in custody.

What began as a peaceful gathering escalated into chaos, raising concerns about public safety during the busy holiday weekend.

Chaos Erupts at Navy Yard

According to DC Police, the trouble began shortly after 7:30 p.m. when a large group of teens gathered in the city’s famed Navy Yard.

At first, the crowd was peaceful, but tensions quickly flared.

Officers report that the group began fighting, disrupting traffic, and repeatedly ignoring instructions to stay on the sidewalks.

Dramatic footage captured by a nearby resident shows teenagers running through the park, chased by police and National Guardsmen. Screams and shouting punctuated the melee, underscoring how quickly the situation deteriorated.

Law Enforcement Responds

Police, supported by the National Guard, Capitol Police, Metro Transit Police, and a Federal Task Force, quickly closed surrounding streets and worked to disperse the crowd.

By 11 p.m., the situation had been brought under control, and five arrests were made.

Eighteen-year-old Kaeden Brown was taken into custody for allegedly possessing a knife.

Four minors, aged between 14 and 16, were also arrested on charges including public consumption of marijuana, affray, and failing to obey police instructions.

Additional arrests were made by Metro Transit Police, though details remain unclear.

One officer was injured when he was thrown to the ground but received treatment from EMS on site.

DC Police Chief Pamela A. Smith called the behavior “unacceptable” and said authorities are boosting their presence throughout the city during the holiday weekend.

National Guard’s Extended Presence

This incident comes amid an ongoing National Guard deployment in Washington DC, initially ordered by former President Donald Trump in August.

The Guard is currently preparing for a long-term presence through winter, with leadership indicating troops could remain in the city until at least summer 2026.

General Leland Blanchard, Trump’s interim Commanding General of the DC National Guard, sent a September email instructing troops to “work quickly toward wintering our formation,” highlighting the extended scope of operations.

While their current deployment is officially set through November 30, 2025, preparations suggest the Guard could stay through the “America 250” celebrations next summer.

Although National Guard members cannot make arrests directly, officials credit their presence with reducing crime and assisting in thousands of arrests.

As of early October, more than 2,000 arrests had been recorded since the operation began on August 11, with Metro Police making around 1,500 and the remainder handled by federal agencies including ICE, CBP, FBI, DEA, and ATF.

Washington DC on Alert

With the combination of holiday crowds and ongoing National Guard operations, Washington DC authorities are keeping a close eye on potential disturbances.

Friday’s clash serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement and the importance of maintaining order during large public gatherings.