DC Implements Curfew After Teen Fight Turns Deadly

The nation’s capital, where controversial police reform measures have left cops with fewer options to deal with local crime, has implemented a curfew for minors in seven neighborhoods across the district in response to a recent altercation between teen girls that left one dead.

According to authorities, two 16-year-old girls were involved in a disagreement — apparently over dipping sauces — at a McDonald’s location early on the morning of Aug. 27. The incident escalated and ended with the fatal stabbing of one of the girls, identified as Naima Liggon.

A pilot program began on Friday that requires anyone under the age of 17 in the specified communities to vacate public spaces from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:01 to 6 a.m. on the weekends. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the new measure on Thursday, though she did not confirm that the recent stabbing was its impetus. 

Minors found out during the curfew hours will be transported to dedicated facilities within the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Providing this “safe space,” Bowser said, would help ensure that police officers are able to resume their patrols instead of holding minors at a police station until a guardian arrives. 

Before the first curfew had expired, however, there had already been a shooting that left two teens dead and a 16-year-old girl in critical condition, according to reports.

The mayor did mention “a substantial increase in the number of young people involved in criminal conduct such as robberies or carjackings” in her public statement on the matter. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves confirmed that his office would begin prosecuting 16- and 17-year-old defendants accused of such crimes as adults.

“I’ve shared before that when I was young, my father used to tell me: There’s nothing good in the street after 11 o’clock,” Bowser said. “We want our kids home, we want them safe, and if they’re not – we want families working with us to get their kids the help that they need.”

Earlier this year, House Republicans passed a bill to overturn the district’s police reform bill. The measure passed in the Senate and President Joe Biden declined to veto it.

“D.C. clearly has a crime crisis,” said Rep. James Comer (R-KY) at the time. “Our nation’s capital has deteriorated and declined. D.C. officials have not carried out their responsibility to serve the citizens.”