Active shooter scare at DC Pride Parade causes panicked stampede and draws massive police response  

Suspect is in custody after active shooter scare sparks mass panic and leaves several people injured at Washington DC Pride parade

  • Police confirm no shots were fired during incident Saturday in Dupont Circle
  • Two people were fighting and one man brandished a gun, cops say 
  • Chaos spread as sounds like loud pops sent hundreds fleeing the Pride Parade
  • Multiple people were injured in the chaos as crowd stampeded over barricades 
  • The parade was cut short but there are no plans to cancel other DC pride events 

False reports of a shooting at Washington DC’s Pride Parade has caused a stampede that left several injured, cutting short a day of celebration and transforming it into one of terror. 

Police sources say that two people were fighting near Dupont Circle when one of them brandished a gun, sparking panic in the crowd as hundreds fled from the area at around 7.20pm on Saturday.

A man was arrested and charged with possession of a gun, and a woman was also arrested on separate charges of assaulting a police officer, DC Police Commander Guillermo Rivera said at a press conference. Their identities were not released.

Officials confirmed that no shots were fired in the incident, and that there is no active threat.   

Police were seen escorting a shirtless man away in handcuffs. He was charged in connection with a gun found at the scene, which cops say was brandished during a fight

Police officers speak with a woman behind crime scene tape, Saturday at Dupont Circle in Washington. Officials in Washington say several people were injured after a panic

Police officers speak with a woman behind crime scene tape, Saturday at Dupont Circle in Washington. Officials in Washington say several people were injured after a panic

First responders are seen near Dupont Circle after false reports of a shooting at the DC Pride Parade on Saturday

Hundreds fled after hearing loud pops they thought were gunshots

First responders are seen near Dupont Circle after false reports of a shooting at the DC Pride Parade on Saturday. Hundreds fled after hearing loud pops they thought were gunshots

Debris was left strew across the deserted street after the crowd fled in terror

Debris was left strew across the deserted street after the crowd fled in terror

‘There are injuries from people running from what they thought were gunshots. But there is NO ACTIVE SHOOTER at Dupont Circle,’ Kevin Donahue, DC’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, said in a tweet. 

At least 11 people were injured in the chaos as the crowd fled, according to journalist Marissa A. Martinez, who was at the scene. 

Police said that there were seven transports to local hospitals, and a number of other minor injuries treated at the scene.  

The parade organizers advised people to seek shelter when the panic broke out at about 7.20pm. 

‘There was a reported incident in Dupont Circle during the Capital Pride Parade. The police are assessing the situation and will make a determination of how best to proceed,’ Capital Pride wrote in a statement on Twitter. 

People gather to watch the DC Pride Parade in Washington, DC shortly before a shooting panic

People gather to watch the DC Pride Parade in Washington, DC shortly before a shooting panic

The parade route near Dupont Circle cleared out in a stampede after people heard what they believed were gunshots. Police are investigating but say no one was shot

The parade route near Dupont Circle cleared out in a stampede after people heard what they believed were gunshots. Police are investigating but say no one was shot

A reporter at the scene, ABC7’s Tom Roussey, said he heard several loud pops that he could not identify, sending the crowd into a panic and stampeding over steel police barricades. 

‘I heard three or four very, very loud pops that sent everyone running. Some people were hurt while folks were running away from the noise,’ Rousey wrote on Twitter. 

A shirtless man was seen being led away after police descended on Dupont Circle.

Police confirmed that he was the man who was charged in connection with the gun. 

Hundreds of terrified people fleeing the crowded parade route took shelter in nearby businesses and hotels.

A massive police presence descended on the scene after reports of the sound of gunshots

A massive police presence descended on the scene after reports of the sound of gunshots

Chaos and emergency units are seen after the crowd fled in panic from the Pride Parade

Chaos and emergency units are seen after the crowd fled in panic from the Pride Parade 

Personal items were seen strewn about the grass and pavement, left behind as the horrified parade-goers fled. 

One witness described a small boy being trampled in the terror-stricken stampede. 

Police said they were not aware of such an incident but urged anyone with information to come forward. 

Parade organizers Capital Pride decided to cut the parade short after the scare, but say that after consulting with police the rest of the events scheduled for the weekend will go on as planned.

Police are calling the disturbance an isolated incident and say it does not pose a threat to other events. 



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