Violence mars Pride weekend in DC with at least 5 people shot and 2 others stabbed

As the 50th annual Pride celebration came to a close this weekend in Washington D.C., multiple acts of violence were seen across the city. During one of the WorldPride events on Saturday evening, police reported that a fight broke out between large groups in the park. During the fight, two teenage boys were stabbed. Events in the park were shut down following the incident, reported FOX 5 DC. 

Shortly after the stabbings, a man was found with a gunshot wound to his foot just outside of the Dupont Circle Metro Station around 7:50 p.m. Following the two Dupont stabbings and the shooting, police responded to several other shooting reports on Saturday night and early into Sunday morning. 

Violent activity

The violent acts came after a long week of debating whether or not Dupont Circle Park should remain open for pride-related events. Fencing that surrounded the park came down early Saturday morning.

At 10:27 p.m. in the Unit Block of M Street, a man was found with a gunshot wound and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.

On the 1600 Block of W Street at 10:44 p.m., officers responded to sounds of gunfire. At least one suspect was reported to have fired towards officers, but no officers were harmed. Police located one adult man with a gunshot wound.

One juvenile boy was found with a gunshot wound in the 13th Street and T Street area, after officers responded to a report of a shooting there at 10:58 p.m.  Another juvenile boy was found with a gunshot wound after a report of a shooting in the 1900 Block of 13th Street, Northwest. He was transported to a hospital. 

Celebrating in DC this year, WorldPride is a global celebration of the LGBTQ+ community which includes festivals, parades, rallies and more. 

NBC4 Washington said that the circumstances of these incidents are unknown at this time, and it is not known whether these acts of violence are related. 

Full closure of the park was originally requested by D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith for the duration of the WorldPride festivities, which ran through Sunday. However, after facing significant backlash from the community, Smith retracted this request, according to NBC4 Washington.