District of Columbia – In a disturbing incident in the District of Columbia, an elderly man was beaten to death, and a group of young girls allegedly involved in the attack took selfies, celebrating the assault, according to prosecutors. The case, which has shocked the community, saw a recent court hearing disrupted when one of the accused juveniles attacked a deputy U.S. Marshal.
On October 17, 2023, the 64-year-old man, identified as R. Brown, suffered a fatal attack leading to blunt force trauma injuries. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene following the incident. According to police reports and court testimonies, the attack was unprovoked, with Brown not knowing his assailants.
The violence began when a man in a blue coat, who has not been identified or arrested, was seen on surveillance video initiating the attack on Brown. The situation escalated when a group of minors joined the assault. Authorities reported that, after the initial assault by the man, one of the girls asked if she could also fight the victim. The group of girls, including two 13-year-olds and a 12-year-old, allegedly kicked and stomped on Brown as he attempted to escape after being knocked down by the man in a blue coat. After the assault, they reportedly walked away in a celebratory manner, a moment they captured on their cell phones.
The investigation into Brown’s death led to the arrest of five young girls over several months. Two 13-year-old girls and a 12-year-old girl were arrested in March for second-degree murder. Police reported on Thursday that they apprehended a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl in connection with the incident, marking the fourth and fifth arrests. The most recent court hearing for one of these girls, a 13-year-old, took a violent turn when she reportedly assaulted a deputy U.S. Marshal, resulting in her removal from the courtroom on a stretcher. Despite these arrests, the adult who initiated the attack remains at large. Police continue to investigate and have offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The community and Brown’s family are left reeling from the incident. Brown, who was described as a quiet individual familiar to many in his neighborhood, had lived there for over six decades. The family stated that Brown, despite being physically handicapped and missing fingers on both hands, was a gentle soul who stayed to himself and never bothered anyone.
This incident has highlighted the need for more stringent safety measures and supervision for youth in the community, as well as the disturbing potential for violence among juveniles. Local authorities and community leaders are calling for actions to prevent such tragedies in the future, emphasizing the importance of intervention and support for at-risk youth. As the case continues to develop, the search is still ongoing for the adult suspect, as are further legal proceedings for the arrested juveniles.