Guard Soldiers prevent potential knife attack at DC Metro station

By Spc. Sherald McAulayAugust 21, 2025

D.C. Safe and Beautiful
Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard, Capt. Giho Yang and Spc. Tra’shwn Parham, provide security to commuters around the Smithsonian Metro Station, Aug. 19, 2025. Approximately 800 National Guard service members comprise JTF-DC, supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. These National Guard service members provide critical support, including crowd management, presence patrols, and perimeter control, in support of law enforcement. D.C. Guard Soldiers and Airmen are proud to say, “we live here, we work here, we serve here.” (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Giselle Gonzalez) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON — Two members of the District of Columbia National Guard alerted local law enforcement to a potentially life-threatening situation involving a man brandishing a knife and threatening another man at the Waterfront Metro station in Washington, Aug. 18, 2025.

Army Spc. Tra'shwn Parham and Army Capt. Giho Yang were patrolling the metro station as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Joint Task Force District of Columbia, when Parham said she saw and overheard the man brandishing the knife and making verbal threats. She said she immediately called the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, which responded to the incident.

D.C. Safe and Beautiful
U.S. Army Spc. Tra'shwn Parham from the District of Columbia National Guard poses at the Smithsonian Metro Station where she and fellow Soldiers are assigned to patrol during the capital mission to keep D.C. safe and beautiful, on August 19, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sherald McAulay) VIEW ORIGINAL
D.C. Guard help prevent assault at Metro Station
U.S. Army Capt. Giho Yang from the District of Columbia National Guard poses at the Smithsonian Metro Station where he and fellow Soldiers are assigned to patrol during the capital mission to keep D.C safe and beautiful, on August 19, 2025. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sherald McAulay) VIEW ORIGINAL

"We showed our presence and then made sure that citizens around that area were safe. To do that, we had to partner up and communicate with the law enforcement officers that were nearby, making sure that we had eyes and ears on the situation to keep everyone safe," Yang said.

Parham added that other people thanked them and said their presence made them feel safe.

Guard members are continuing patrols as part of task force operations to support local and federal law enforcement partners in safeguarding property and ensuring the continuity of government functions.