Executive Summary
- The Metropolitan Police Department reported 247 carjackings in 2025, a decrease from previous years.
- Juveniles accounted for more than 50% of the 140 arrests made in connection with carjackings.
- Firearms were used in approximately 64% of the reported incidents.
- Over 20% of the individuals arrested were not residents of Washington D.C.
Carjackings in Washington D.C. decreased for the second consecutive year in 2025, though law enforcement data indicates that juvenile offenders continue to account for the majority of arrests related to these crimes. According to statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the District recorded 247 carjackings over the course of the year, a significant drop from the nearly 1,000 incidents reported in 2023.
Despite the overall reduction in frequency, the demographic profile of those apprehended remains a point of concern for city officials. MPD data reveals that more than half of the 140 individuals arrested for carjacking in 2025 were juveniles. A review of arrest records indicates that the majority of these offenders were aged 14, 15, or 16, with some suspects as young as 12 and 13 years old.
The data further highlights the prevalence of firearms in these offenses. Police reports state that weapons were utilized in approximately 64% of the carjacking incidents in 2025. Additionally, the MPD carjacking dashboard notes a jurisdictional crossover, showing that more than 20% of those arrested for carjackings within the District were residents of surrounding areas rather than the city itself.
Community members have expressed mixed reactions to the statistics, acknowledging the progress while fearing the underlying trends. Pastor Patrick J. Walker of New Macedonia Baptist Church, whose daughter was the target of an attempted carjacking in 2023, emphasized the persistent danger. “It really shakes at your core because our young people are able to get their hands on firearms,” Walker stated. “It’s just too easy to get their hands on a firearm.”
Public Safety Implications
The 2025 statistics suggest that while tactical law enforcement efforts may be suppressing the overall volume of carjackings from the historic highs of 2023, the core issue of youth violence remains entrenched. The high rate of juvenile involvement, coupled with the significant use of firearms, indicates that the challenge has shifted from a volume crisis to a specific demographic and accessibility crisis regarding weapons. Furthermore, the involvement of non-residents suggests that regional coordination is essential for effective intervention. As the judicial system processes these cases, it is important to note that all individuals arrested or charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
