Journalist Injured After Attack in NW

N.Y. Times Reporter, Editor Was Robbed

A prominent Washington journalist was in extremely critical condition last night after being beaten and robbed while taking an after-dinner walk in his quiet upper Northwest Washington neighborhood, according to accounts from police and friends.

David E. Rosenbaum, 63, who has been a member of the New York Times Washington bureau for more than 30 years, was attacked Friday night on Gramercy Street NW, between Connecticut and Wisconsin avenues.

Rosenbaum, who apparently suffered a head injury, underwent surgery yesterday at Howard University Hospital to try to relieve pressure on his brain, said his brother, Marcus Rosenbaum.

Sgt. Joe Gentile, a police spokesman, said that the victim was taking a walk when he was attacked and that his wallet was missing when police arrived at the scene. Police declined to release the victim's name, but he was identified by relatives and friends.

Gentile said police found the victim in the 3800 block of Gramercy Street NW after being called there about 9:20 p.m.

The case is being handled by the police department's violent crimes branch, Gentile said.

"He wanted some fresh air and decided to take a walk," Marcus Rosenbaum said. He said his brother was found by a neighbor who called 911 and waited with him until help arrived.

Marcus Rosenbaum also said a credit card company had called his brother's home yesterday morning and said someone had been trying to use a credit card of his.

Police are investigating a report that two men were seen leaving the area in a dark-colored vehicle, Gentile said.

Aside from three years at the Times's headquarters in New York, Rosenbaum had been a member of the Washington bureau for his entire career, his brother said.

Relatives and colleagues said Rosenbaum had accepted a buyout last month but still did work for the bureau.

Robin Toner, a colleague in the bureau, said Rosenbaum's assignments included that of chief economics correspondent and several editing posts. He shared the 1990 George Polk Award for national reporting for coverage of the federal budget. Toner called him "a terrific reporter and a great human being."

The area where the attack occurred is regarded as one of the safest in the city. Residents have reported robberies from time to time, but violent attacks are rare.

Staff writer Martin Weil contributed to this report.