People fled from Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., on Saturday in the waning moments of WorldPride’s parade celebration after violent incidents less than two miles away from where the procession ended.
One incident involved a shooting and another a stabbing, local elected official Vincent Slatt told The Advocate Saturday night.
A stabbing happened at 7:02 p.m. local time in Dupont Circle Park “during a fight between groups of juveniles,” D.C. Metro police told The Advocate in an emailed statement. Two minors were sent to the hospital conscious and breathing.
In a separate incident at 7:52 p.m., after police cleared Dupont Circle Park, a shooting happened near the space. “One adult male was transported conscious and breathing with a gunshot wound to the foot,” according to police.
Police did not respond to questions about whether the incidents were related to Pride or if the victims had attended.
Throughout the week, Dupont Circle became a touchpoint after criticism erupted over city officials’ plans to close off the circle’s park, which has been an important location for local queer organizing for decades, during Pride. The city then announced an attempt to rescind the decision to barricade the park, only for it to be blocked off Thursday evening. Saturday morning, however, the fences put up were taken down.
On Saturday, the D.C. mayor’s office and the National Park Service announced the reopening in a joint statement, according to The Washington Post.
“We are pleased that the Mayor’s office and the National Park Service could work together overnight on a solution that protects the historic features of this park while also ensuring the safety of all who enjoy it,” the statement read. “We want this weekend to be a safe and fun celebration in our nation’s capital — and one that includes one of the best parks and community spaces in our city, Dupont Circle. We look forward to working together on future initiatives that keep DC safe and beautiful.”
The initial plan to block off the park was due to concerns over criminal behavior. On Saturday, the only part of the park fenced off was the fountain.
This story is developing…