An arrest in the Decatur Street assault as the victims slowly heal
/On April 11th, a neighborhood man on Decatur Street NW who had let some teens use his family's basketball hoop was savagely beaten and assaulted by the teens when he asked them to wrap up their game at 9:30pm due to the noise. He was left with extensive injuries and a long recovery.
Now, two teens have been arrested for the assault on April 11th.
"We are relieved that that they've been found," Jane said. "It's been a bit of a challenge to get info, as you can imagine."
(Petworth News is not using the names of the victims to protect their privacy.)
Jane said an MPD detective did provide them with some details on how the boys were apprehended, stating they were turned in after being seen on media.
"We understand that they were quickly released pending a hearing and are waiting for a prosecutor to be formally assigned to the case. We believe we are able to attend the hearing later this May. We are reading victims rights info online and trying to get more information, but we don't really know what we are allowed to know..."
There was a large outpouring of community support after the news broke of the assault, with many hoping to help these neighbors through their difficult time.
"We are still processing all that's happened," Jane said. "John is healing and on his feet, but still out of work, unable to parent more than a small amount a day given the extent of the injuries. He's still on a liquid diet and without a number of his bottom teeth. He will have to have more procedures, but after the initial surgeries he's had on his nose and jaw, he'll have to heal first before the next phases."
Jane said they're grateful their kids can see their father again, even if only in small amounts, "But generally things are hard at times. Our 8-year old daughter is basketball obsessed and constantly asking if we can put the hoop back up, and why she can't play outside with her friends in the evening. We still don't have good answers. We want to put the hoop back up but it's all so fraught and confusing now," Jane said.
According to a release from MPD, "a 16 year-old juvenile male and a 14 year-old juvenile male, both of Northwest, DC, were arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault."
Given DC's juvenile crime procedures, the two young boys are both released at this point and back home in the neighborhood.
"It's challenging for us that the kids are home but we don't know where that is... it's uncomfortable," Jane said.
"We have had tremendous support from friends, family, and the community. Lots of neighbors have stopped by to offer support, meals and encouragement, and it's really restored our comfort in the neighborhood. It's deeply appreciated and takes the edge off the feelings of alienation and hyper-vigilance that comes after an attack like this. It's been jarring for the kids but they are being resilient. Spring is beautiful in Petworth (and all of DC), which helps too..."
