A teenager has been arrested in connection with the armed carjacking of an FBI agent in Washington, D.C. last month, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Devonta Lynch, a 17-year-old from southeast D.C., was apprehended on Monday for his alleged involvement in the November 29th crime that took place in the 100 block of 12th Street NE. Lynch is being charged as an adult under Title 16, as confirmed by Metro police.
The incident occurred when two suspects, including Lynch, approached the agent who was exiting their vehicle and proceeded to steal the car at gunpoint around 3:44 p.m. The stolen vehicle was later recovered about 25 minutes later in the 1000 block of 15th Street SE.
While it remains unclear if a second arrest has been made, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force is actively assisting Metro police in the investigation. A joint reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible. Anyone with relevant tips can contact the police at 202-727-9099 or text them to the department’s tip line at 50411.
The carjacking incident is part of a concerning trend in Washington, D.C., as carjackings have seen a significant increase over the past year. According to Metro police’s carjacking crime statistics, there have been 924 carjackings in 2023, with 77% of them involving firearms. In comparison, there were 429 carjackings reported during the same time period in 2022. Interestingly, the majority of carjacking arrests in the city involve juveniles, with 15 and 16 years old being the most common ages among offenders.
The joint efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force reflect the seriousness with which this crime is being treated. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may aid in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this armed carjacking.
