A Democratic mayor on Monday demanded more positive media coverage of crime in Washington, D.C., claiming there was more than a week of violence being “down” despite a weekend of shootings and stabbings.
Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday was pressed by a reporter during a press conference on how her office balances the messaging of calling on residents to go out in D.C. while also warning about violence, prompting her to lash out at the media.
“You didn’t report that we had like over a week where violence was down, homicide didn’t happen,” Bowser told reporters. “I know you didn’t report that, but it’s OK. I’ll tell you.”
Social media users blasted the Democratic mayor’s comment about violent crime being down for a single week as crime continues to plague the city.
DC MAYOR REFUSES TO MEET WITH FATHER WHO LOST THREE SONS TO CITY’S VIOLENT CRIME
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a press conference after testifying for hours before the D.C. City Council, outlining the fiscal year 2025 budget, on April 3. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post)
“Not sure what Bowser is talking about here. There were multiple homicides in the District just last week,” a Punchbowl News senior producer posted on X.
“A week with no homicides? Hope someone is organizing a parade,” an American Action Forum (AAF) staffer posted on X.
“Completely clueless. Imagine trying to get sarcastic while bragging about ONE week without a homicide. Congrats,” a D.C. banking executive posted on X.
“This lady is Grade A crazy. People are shooting up clubs on random weekends and she’s talking about 1 week of no homicides,” another X user wrote responding to the clip.
“This is such an unserious answer from Mayor Bowser on arguably the biggest issue in D.C.,” another wrote.
Bowser’s claim comes just days after she revealed she would not be meeting with a D.C. father who has reportedly been demanding a meeting with officials after losing three of his sons to violent crime in the city.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Chief Stuart Emerman approach a press conference after multiple people were injured in a shooting near the Edmund Burke School in Washington, D.C., on April 22. (Bryan Dozier)
The man’s three sons were Avion Evans, who was shot and killed at D.C.’s Brookland Metro station on April 4; his brother, Johnny Evans III, who was stabbed to death at D.C.’s Deanwood Metro; and John Coleman, who was reportedly shot to death in May 2023.
Homicides are down in the city compared to the same time last year but remain high with 56 individuals being victims of homicide since the beginning of 2024, according to D.C. crime data.
Days before Bowser’s comment regarding crime, a shooting erupted outside a popular nightclub in Washington, D.C., on Friday night. Six people, including a woman celebrating her bachelorette party, were shot in the 1200 block of Connecticut Ave Northwest and 18th Street Northwest.
Shelves with specific products that tend to be shoplifted are stocked with the bare minimum. Giant Foods is making changes to its stores to address organized retail crime in Washington, D.C. (Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)
“I will never return to the streets of D.C.,” Katie, the mother of three and bride-to-be who was shot, told Fox5 after the incident. “I was doing nothing wrong in what was supposed to be the safest place in D.C., and I got shot.”
Earlier that evening, a male teenager was repeatedly stabbed in the food court at Union Station, a busy travel hub for Amtrak. There were also shootings on Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon in D.C., including a homicide on Tuesday night.
Fox News Digital asked Bowser if she had any additional comments after violent crime spiked again after reportedly being down for a week, but received no response at the time of this publication.
Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.
