WASHINGTON (7News) — A suspect is in custody after a 17-year-old girl was stabbed to death in northwest Washington, D.C. early Sunday morning, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Around 2:10 a.m., officers were called to a local hospital for a report of a juvenile girl seeking treatment for stab wounds, police said. Despite all life-saving efforts, officials said Naima Liggon, of Waldorf, Md. died from her injuries.
Authorities said the stabbing happened both inside and outside of a business in the 1900 block of 14th Street NW. Liggon was transported to a local hospital in a privately owned vehicle, officials said.
A 16-year-old Waldorf girl was arrested and charged with murder while armed. At the time of her arrest, she was found to be in possession of a knife, authorities said.
No further details were immediately available.
However, 7News confirmed Liggon was a student at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, and Charles County students return to class today.
A spokesperson for Charles County Public Schools confirmed that the "...principal plans to meet with staff prior to the start of the school day and have additional supports for students."
Just 10 days ago, D.C. leaders also announced plans for a youth curfew for those 16 years old and under, starting on September 1. The curfew would include the area of Sunday's stabbing, which is near the busy and popular U Street--lined with restaurants, shops and nightlife--as well as the areas around Howard University.
"Yeah, it’s horrible, it’s like every day now, you just get used to it at this point," Northwest DC resident Matt Bartlett said. "It’s horrible."
Bartlett lives near the crime scene and told 7News he welcomes any and all action against rising crime in the District--youth and otherwise.
"Well, we need more cops," Bartlett said. "We need more cops, for sure, I mean they’re so understaffed.
"Whenever there’s like an emergency the cops take forever to get there--you don’t feel safe a lot of the time here, I’ll say that."
7News has reported on multiple recruitment efforts by MPD.
MPD also confirmed to 7News that so far this year, 13 juveniles have been fatally shot or stabbed, compared to 18 juveniles fatally shot or stabbed in all of last year.
