By admin 
WASHINGTON – D.C. police have arrested two teenage boys in connection with a brutal attack and robbery that left a well-known DJ dead.
At a news conference Friday, Pamela Smith, chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested Thursday in connection with Bryan Smith’s death. Police said they are also suspects in three connected robberies that occurred the same day.
READ MORE: Family of beloved DJ speaks out after he is left in a coma following a robbery
Officials say they believe the suspects assaulted and robbed Smith as he walked home after his shift early on the morning of Oct. 27. He died after being in a coma for more than a week. The Northern Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the cause and manner of death.
“While nothing can undo this senseless loss, we hope today’s arrest provides some measure of justice and a step toward healing,” said MPD Pamela Smith. “We are here to send a very clear message today. If you commit violence in our city, we will find you and we will hold you accountable.”
Smith was found seriously injured and unconscious in the 500 block of T Street. He was robbed of his phone, his wallet and his credit cards. He died in hospital just over a week later. Lela Sandoval, Smith’s mother, told FOX 5 on Friday that a detective called her in the morning to update her on the case. In an earlier interview, Sandoval said her son fought hard for his life while in the hospital, but problems developed with his lungs and the decision was made to take him off life support.
“They killed my son because of a credit card with a very low balance and a cell phone,” Sandoval said last week. “These people took my whole life away.”
Shortly after the attack on Smith, police say the suspects attacked and attempted to rob others in the 1900 block of 14th Street. Investigators say the teens robbed a person in the 1800 block of Vermont Avenue and assaulted another person in the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue.
“I’ve said this many times. Young people should be at home. They must be accompanied by an adult who knows where they are at all times,” Chief Smith said.
Jeffrey Willis has lived on U Street for 21 years and said there have been concerning problems involving young suspects in recent years.
“It’s a sad new normal for these young people. Many of them have been attacked and possibly murdered. It’s a part of their lives and it’s just not the way it should be,” Willis said.
He added that he wanted police to enforce the curfew more strictly.
‘You can really get the young people off the streets, but that requires a major change in attitude. We’re not going to ask them that, we’re going to get them off the streets when it’s the most dangerous time. Late at night this is not their policy. “I know it’s up to the politicians, but I hope MPD would say to them that this is what we need to protect young people and the rest of the community,” he said.