WASHINGTON (WJLA) — An all-out brawl broke out inside the Navy Yard Chipotle in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, with chairs thrown and used as weapons.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers were called around 8:41 p.m. to the Chipotle in the 1200 block of First Street SE for reports of a large fight inside the restaurant.
Police said officers were already deployed nearby, monitoring a large group, and arrived within one minute of the call. By the time they got there, everyone involved had fled the scene.
Ken Ledet, who lives in the Navy Yard, told WJLA he has seen chaotic scenes like this in recent months.
“It’s not shocking anymore, since this has become routine on Saturdays and Friday nights, but it’s disappointing to know this is still happening,” Ledet said. “I actually come to this Chipotle at least three or four times a week, so thankfully I didn’t come here last night.”
Cameras captured a brawl inside the Navy Yard Chipotle, where chairs were being thrown as fights broke out in Washington, D.C. on Sunday night, May 17, 2026. (7News)
Just across the street, in the community’s large field area, WJLA cameras also captured the moment police officers chased down and arrested someone.
Saturday’s fight came one day after U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced her office would prosecute parents of juveniles involved in so-called “teen takeovers.”
“Starting today, my office will aggressively prosecute parents under D.C.’s curfew law,” Pirro said Friday. “It involves contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This statute makes it unlawful for an adult to enable, facilitate, or permit a minor to engage in delinquent acts.”
WJLA reached out to Pirro’s office to ask if she is prosecuting the parents of any juveniles involved in Saturday night’s melee.
In the past, MPD has established juvenile curfew zones in response to, and to prevent, incidents like the one that unfolded Saturday. Under D.C. law, there is already a citywide curfew for anyone under 18 from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Under previous emergency laws and executive orders, the MPD chief had the authority to establish juvenile curfew zones in certain areas beginning at 8 p.m., temporarily banning groups of nine or more minors from gathering for up to three days.
Both the temporary emergency law and the most recent mayoral order expired, meaning MPD could not establish these earlier curfew zones this weekend.
The D.C. Council approved a law creating a permanent curfew, but it will not go into effect until later in the summer.
Cameras captured a brawl inside the Navy Yard Chipotle, where chairs were being thrown as fights broke out in Washington, D.C. on Sunday night, May 17, 2026. (7News)
Meanwhile, residents like Ledet told WJLA that accountability is needed.
“It’s really puzzling to me because there’s nothing here for adolescents or teenagers. I understand D.C. is taking measures to involve youth in different programs, but I really think people’s parents need to get more involved and understanding where their children are,” Ledet said.
An MPD police report sent to WJLA Monday morning states two groups of juveniles got into a verbal altercation inside the restaurant before the situation escalated into a physical fight.
Police said the juveniles ran from Chipotle after learning officers were arriving.
The police report states, “There was no report of injuries or damage.”
The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text tips to 50411.
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