Democrat DC councilman pleads for National Guard to come help address skyrocketing homicides

After yet another violent weekend in the nation’s capital, a Washington DC councilman says it is time to call in the National Guard.

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. a Democrat who represents Ward 8, said Monday, “The crime is out of control and getting worse by the day. We must declare an emergency regarding the crime and violence in our neighborhoods and act urgently. It may be time to call on the National Guard to protect the children and innocent people that are losing their lives to this senselessness."

He continued, "I am tired of burying our children. We are too comfortable with the state of our city. We must take action to gain control and protect our residents. Law enforcement is only one part of how we combat public safety issues. It will take all of us to heal our community."

“I am calling on the community and its stakeholders to join us for a shooting response to speak out against the violence in our city. Elected officials cannot solve this alone," White added. "This effort requires the input and cooperation of parents, students, churches, businesses, civic associations, and even those responsible for the violence. We all must do this together. I stand ready to make our streets safe for all who walk them, not only in Ward 8 but across the District."

White has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday at Good Hope Road and 16th Street Southeast at 1 pm local time.

The location was the site of a fatal shooting on Saturday that killed three and injured two.

So far, in August alone, 13 people have been killed in 10 shootings, increasing the total number of homicides for the year to 158, an increase of approximately 22 percent since 2022, making 2023 the deadliest year in twenty years.