U.S. National Guardsmen with the Arkansas National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, intervened during an alleged assault near Rhode Island Avenue in Washington on June 15, 2026.
“With the training I’ve been through, I felt confident that I knew what I had to do,” said U.S. Army Spc. Edwin Martinez, a Multiple Launch Rocket Systems crewmember with the Arkansas National Guard.
The Guardsmen first noticed a woman arguing with several people during their morning patrol. They stepped in, deescalated the situation, and continued through the area. Moments later, a commotion drew them back. When they returned, they found the same woman bleeding from her face as witnesses pointed toward a man who had confronted another group of women.
The man chased the group’s vehicle as they drove away and threatened to shoot them before running toward his own vehicle and reaching inside. The Guardsmen ordered him away from the vehicle and detained him until Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived. MPD officers arrested the man, and the Guardsmen provided first aid to the victim. Authorities charged the suspect with assault and attempted kidnapping.
Sgt. Memphis Perez, a motor transport operator with the Arkansas National Guard, said the response reflected the Soldiers’ purpose on the mission. “We’re just here to help everyone,” Perez said. “No matter who you are or what you do, we’re just here to help.”
Their actions reflected the Army Values and supported the JTF-DC mission to help keep everyone who lives, works, and visits the District safe.