
Washington, D.C. police are investigating two violent incidents that took place amid WorldPride festivities in Dupont Circle on Saturday. One incident was a double stabbing involving juveniles, and the other was a shooting.
The stabbing occurred around 7:02 p.m. local time during a fight between a group of juveniles, in which two teenagers aged 15 and 16 were sent to the hospital to be treated for stab wounds, according to authorities. The teens’ injuries are non-fatal, and the two teens were reported to be conscious and breathing while receiving hospital care.
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Nearly an hour later, at 7:52 p.m. local time, a shooting occurred near the 19th street entrance to the Dupont Circle Metro Station. A video from NBC Washington shows people frantically rushing over the fare gates after the shooting.
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One adult man received a gunshot wound to the foot. Police said the man was conscious and breathing when medical help arrived — he is expected to survive. The Dupont Circle Metro Station was closed shortly afterward for an investigation into the shooting. Metro services resumed normally a couple of hours later, by 10 p.m. local time.
No arrests have been confirmed in these cases, and police did not comment as to whether the incidents were related to Pride in any capacity or if the victims were Pridegoers.
Throughout the subsequent week, Dupont Circle became the subject of a continual back-and-forth as to whether the park should be closed off during WorldPride. The announcement by city officials to close the park, citing unverified reports of vandalism to the park’s fountain during a Pride event two years ago, sparked outrage amongst the community, as Dupont Park is an important gathering place during Pride.
Shortly announcing the park’s closure, city officials rescinded their statement, only to close it off again on Thursday before removing the barriers just before Saturday’s Pride festival.
On Saturday, the D.C. Mayor’s Office and the National Park Service announced the park’s reopening in a joint statement 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 fountain, however, did remain blocked off during Saturday’s gathering.
D.C. councilmember Brooke Pinto spoke out about the incidents on June 7, calling the shooting and stabbings “absolutely unacceptable.”
“There were several stabbings and a shooting at Dupont Circle and it is now closed. This is absolutely unacceptable,” she posted to Social Media. “Please stay safe and if you are at the circle, time to leave.”
There were several stabbings and a shooting at Dupont Circle and it is now closed. This is absolutely unacceptable.
— Councilmember Brooke Pinto (@CMBrookePinto) June 8, 2025
Please stay safe and if you are at the circle, time to leave.
Metro is open. Thank you @DCPoliceDept & @wmataGM for your effort to clear the crowd safely. https://t.co/S2lyyEOvYC
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