Random violent crime skyrockets in DC, robberies up 59%, violent crime up 36%

Washington DC has experienced a surge of random street robberies in recent weeks, with criminals ambushing their victims outside of bars, libraries, and on busy sidewalks across the city. 

According to The Washington Times, the seemingly random attacks come with a surge in violent crime in the first six months of the year. 

According to the Metropolitan Police Data, robberies in the city are up 59 percent and total violent crime is up 36 percent from this time last year. 

Some of the robberies have turned into fatal shootings in recent months. Dzhoy Zuckerman was a 27-year-old bike messenger who was shot and killed Saturday in an apparent attempted robbery.

Another cyclist, Sabrina Velenti, told the Times, “I hate this narrative of ‘Oh, D.C. is so crime-ridden.'” She added, "But at the same time, you do have these absolute nonsense, out-of-nowhere, irresponsible people. It almost makes me wonder if they realize that they have the potential to take someone’s life away.”  

On July 13, while walking to work, construction worker Rafael Adolfo Gomez was shot and killed in what Third District commander James Boteler said was a robbery that "went bad." 

Police noted that the robberies happen quickly with a car pulling up to the victim, showing they have a gun, and then moving on. This resulted in four people being robbed in six minutes on Saturday alone. 

Police arrested three 18-year-olds arrested earlier this month after police said they robbed six people, including one White House staffer, in less than 24 hours. 

This report follows recent news that a staffer for GOP Representative Brad Finstad was attacked by two men, one armed, following the annual Congressional Baseball Game last month. In a statement, Finstad said, "Thankfully, he will be able to make a full recovery and the extent of his physical injuries was minor. I thank the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and their attention to this incident."

"In Washington, DC, and cities across the country, anti-police, soft-on-crime policies have created lawless societies that endanger the public and empower criminal behavior," he continued. "It's time we started treating criminals like criminals and bring back commonsense policies that imprison career criminals, keep the public safe, and allow our police officers to adequately protect our communities and keep violent criminals off the streets." 

Police are offering up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the killing of Zuckerman in Northwest DC. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.