On Monday, police arrested Devonta Lynch, a 17-year-old high schooler, for allegedly carjacking an FBI special agent in Washington, D.C. According to Metropolitan Police, the incident occurred on November 29 when two people carjacked the agent. Furthermore, when police searched Lynch’s home, they discovered a handgun as well as several rounds of ammunition.
“Police said they later recovered the car,” Metropolitan Police told reporters. In addition, the department and the FBI offered up to $20,000 for any information that could potentially lead to the arrest of the persons responsible for the incident. Police also reported that they obtained footage that identified Lynch as the driver of the stolen car, an observation reported by the New York Post.
In the coming weeks, Lynch is set to appear in court, as reported by the New York Post. Also, records show that Lynch had a previous assault charge filed against him in relation to another, unrelated incident.
17-year-old suspected gang member arrested for armed carjacking of female FBI agent in DC https://t.co/D5ZC2OiqXw pic.twitter.com/wIB2tSKnrL
— New York Post (@nypost) December 6, 2023
The past year has seen a dramatic increase in Washington, D.C., carjackings; with over double the amount reported from 400 in 2020 to 800 in 2023. Recent data analysis conducted by Fox 5 indicates that the vast majority, 66 percent, of those arrested for carjackings are juveniles.
“Washington, D.C., carjackings have more than doubled since last year, from a little more than 400 cases in 2022 to more than 800 cases in 2023,” Fox 5 said.
It is important to note that carjackings are serious incidents that have serious consequences. It is absolutely vital that a community member participating in such illegal activity be taken off the streets. Moving forward, as a society, we need to remind ourselves that Lynch’s alleged conduct is an outlying exception, not the rule.