Metro Transit Police ID Suspect who Assaulted 69-Year-Old

May 1, 2015

Metro Transit Police (MTPD) detectives have identified the suspect who allegedly assaulted a 69-year-old victim last week at Eastern Market Station.

MTPD has obtained an arrest warrant for Elijah J Smith, 19, with a last known address in Northeast DC. The charge is felony assault. If convicted, Smith could face an enhanced penalty of 1.5 times the maximum term of imprisonment due to the age of the victim under District of Columbia law (§ 22–3601).

The assault occurred shortly after 1 p.m., April 24. The victim reported that he was shoved by the suspect as they exited a train at Eastern Market Station. A verbal altercation ensued. As the victim and suspect exited the station, at the top of the platform escalator, the suspect can be seen on surveillance video spitting on the victim, and then punching him three times. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries resulting from the attack.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the person depicted below is asked to call Metro Transit Police immediately at  (202) 962-2121 and reference case 2015-21061. Tips can also be sent via text message to MyMTPD (696873). Do not take action other than calling police.