News

UPDATED: Chaos at Pentagon City mall prompts massive police response

By ARLnow.com
Police running into the Pentagon City mall (courtesy Dave Statter/X)

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City was shut down Saturday evening after a series of large fights led to a massive, multi-agency police response.

The fights started breaking out among groups of teens and mall security around 6 p.m., according to scanner traffic. By 7 p.m., additional fights in the food court started escalating and all available officers were urgently dispatched to the mall.

Police radio traffic described “100 kids actively fighting” and “a mele.”

“The whole mall is fighting,” said one officer.

“Get Metro down here and any other jurisdiction,” said another. “There are too many people.”

Metro Transit Police, Virginia State Police and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency all sent personnel to the mall to help Arlington County police. Fights were reported on several levels of the mall, including the food court, before the crowds were dispersed.

By 7:30 p.m., the situation had calmed down and medics were treating a police officer, security guard and at least one suspect.

“Police responded the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street for the report of multiple fights in the area,” Arlington County police said via social media. “At the direction of ACPD, the mall is now closed.”

“Three juveniles have been detained,” ACPD said later. “One of the detained juveniles reported minor injuries. One officer and one mall security guard reported minor injuries. Police remain on scene investigating. Mall is closed. Avoid the area.”

Arlington County police announced riot-related charges against three teen suspects — two girls and one boy — in a press release early Sunday afternoon.

The Arlington County Police Department is announcing petitions have been obtained for three juvenile suspects following multiple reports of fights at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City on the evening of March 29, 2025. Suspect One, a 13-year-old female, was charged with Riot and Assault on Police. Suspect Two, a 15-year-old female, was charged with Assault on Police, Assault and Battery (x2), Injury to a Person in a Riot and Obstruction of Justice. Suspect Three, a 14-year-old male, was charged with Assault on Police, Riot While Carrying a Weapon and Trespassing. Additional information regarding the juvenile suspects is restricted from release in accordance with Virginia Code.

At approximately 7:06 p.m., police were dispatched to the 1100 block of S. Hayes Street for the report of multiple fights inside the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Upon arrival, officers observed a very large crowd in the food court and numerous fights happening simultaneously. Additional officers were requested to assist with controlling the incident and restoring public safety. As additional officers began responding to the food court, the crowd remained disorderly and fights continued to occur, creating a danger to patrons and the officers on scene. At the request of the Arlington County Police Department, the mall was closed and patrons were evacuated from the property.

During the response to this incident, Suspect One ignored officers’ commands, pushed an officer and resisted attempts to detain her. She continued to struggle but was taken into custody with the assistance of additional officers. An officer attempted to detain Suspect Two after she assaulted a store employee. She then assaulted an officer and mall security personnel before being taken into custody. Suspect Three assaulted an officer and resisted arrest. He was taken into custody and a knife was recovered.

Minor injuries were reported by responding officers, mall security personnel and a store employee. Suspects One and Two were treated for minor injuries.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City reopened as scheduled on Sunday, March 30 and the Arlington County Police Department is conducting increased patrols in the area. This remains an active investigation and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Information may also be reported anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Strong regional collaboration and partnerships among public safety agencies is essential to preserving the safety and welfare of the National Capital Region. ACPD extends our appreciation to the Arlington County Fire Department, Virginia State Police, Pentagon Force Protection Agency and Metro Transit Police for their response and assistance during this incident.

More, below, via social media.

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