When city officials removed anti-scale fencing around Dupont Circle Park in preparation for the WorldPride Parade, Pride-goers celebrated with a disco party. Hours later, two minors were stabbed in the circle, and another victim was shot at the Metro station nearby.
The violence followed days of back-and-forth between the Metropolitan Police Department and government officials as to whether to close the historic park, which has been the site of vandalism and violence during past Pride celebrations. The park is a historic gathering place for the district’s gay community.
As the police cleared the park following the stabbing, one security guard, Xavier, got caught in the chaos. Xavier was working security all evening at a restaurant and bar located just off the circle.
“Yesterday, it was completely shut down,” he told National Review, referring to the park. “They should’ve never opened it back up to the public.”
More than a thousand Pride-goers, forced out of the circle, continued to dance in the streets, as local businesses closed their doors, one local restaurant manager said.
“They immediately shut off the circle, so everybody was out here [on the street],” the manager said. “They were partying. They were all partying. It didn’t seem like anybody was scared.”
About half an hour later, a gunshot was heard and crowds ran for cover. A man at the Metro station nearby was shot in the foot, according to the police report.
All three victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The violence occurred just hours after city officials pulled down anti-scale fencing and opened Dupont Circle Park to the public. The National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police, who maintain the circle, had made the final call on Wednesday to close the park because of safety concerns.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith officially rescinded an initial request to the National Park Service to close the park after the directive sparked backlash from local residents, who see the circle as central to LGBT culture in the area.
“Chief Pamela A. Smith has heard from community members and understands how significant Dupont Circle Park is to the Pride celebration,” a police spokesperson told National Review at the time. “MPD stands ready to support the National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police during this weekend’s events.”
The U.S. Park Police proceeded with the closure anyway, citing safety concerns, and the fences went up at 5 a.m. on Friday.
“In USPP’s professional opinion this closure is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park,” Superintendent Kevin Griess of the National Park Service wrote in the record of determination for the closure.
When asked about the closure of the park, Mayor Muriel Bowser called the decision an “unfortunate error” in an interview on The Politics Hour on WAMU. The fencing came down early on Saturday, and the mayor’s office and the National Park Service issued a joint statement.
“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 said. “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 city erected a fence immediately around the fountain to protect the historic monument, vandalized in 2024, and a heavy police presence remained in the area.
“The DC Government will manage activity, provide law enforcement and protect the resources of Dupont Circle Park,” the withdrawal of record of determination from the National Park Service said. “The DC Government has assumed primary responsibility for the maintenance of public health, safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park, from June 7 until June 9, 2025.”
Pride-goers took full advantage of the open park on Saturday afternoon, lounging in the shade or dancing to the music of a disco party put on by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The stabbing occurred shortly after the WorldPride Parade ended, around 7:30 p.m. Police cleared and closed off the circle immediately after the violence.
Mayor Bowser’s office and the National Park Service did not respond to requests for comment.
For Xavier, the violence was a breaking point. When the restaurant closed its doors, the young security guard was still outside and unarmed in the crowd.
“After that, I was about to quit,” he said. “I’m not working here because of this.”