Man attacked by group of juveniles on Metropolitan Branch Trail

WASHINGTON - D.C. police said a man was reportedly attacked by a large group of juveniles on the Metropolitan Branch Trail Tuesday afternoon.

The attack happened not far from the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station just before 5 p.m. on the 8-mile trail that spans from Union Station in D.C. to Silver Spring in Maryland.

Police said the man was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

This is not the first time trouble has happened on this trail used by many pedestrians, runners and bicyclists. Last July, a woman was attacked and robbed while riding her bike on the trail. She was wearing a camera on her helmet and it was able to capture footage of the suspects during the attack. Two teenagers were arrested for the crime.

After that, the neighborhood pushed to make the trail safer. Lights were installed along the trail as well as mile markers to help emergency crews find someone in need of help.

Helena Alston, who walks on this trail almost every day, said she would still like to see some more improvements to increase safety.

"They could do better with the lighting," she said. "There are enough lights, but they got to light up. What good is a light fixture if it doesn't work? What the purpose?"