Attack at Metro Linked to Area Violence

A stabbing Saturday night at a Metro station in the U Street NW area was linked by a Metro spokeswoman yesterday to problems in the surrounding neighborhood.

"We believe it's related to the violence we've seen in that specific area," which spilled into the Metro system, said spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein.

A teenager was stabbed at the U Street/Cardozo Metro station, apparently while trying to intervene in a dispute among other youths, authorities said.

The wounded teenager then boarded a Green Line train and rode one stop north to the Columbia Heights Station, where medical help was summoned. His wounds were not believed to be life-threatening.

Service on the Green Line in the area was disrupted for a time as investigators examined the rail car in which the teenager fled.

"It was a crime scene," Farbstein said.

The incident apparently provoked considerable commotion.

"I was on that train, and it was nuts," read a comment on The Washington Post's Web site.

Authorities said the attack occurred about 9:20 p.m. Saturday at the entrance to the station at 13th and U Streets NW. The station is in a thriving nightlife corridor.

Police said the teenager who was stabbed apparently was the brother of one of the teenage girls involved in a dispute.

In addition to creating a stir inside the Metro system, the incident drew attention to the Columbia Heights Station, where an ambulance was called for the wounded youth. A 14-year-old was fatally stabbed Friday a few blocks north of the station. Police said they were investigating whether gang activity was involved.