Metro Attacker Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Assault at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station

            WASHINGTON – Neal Pitt, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release by D.C. Superior Court Judge Erik Christian following Pitt’s conviction at trial for assault with significant bodily injury. 

            Pitt was convicted for an attack that took place on the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station platform on March 9, 2021. The verdict was returned on October 30, 2023, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

            According to the government’s evidence, on March 9, 2021, at approximately 7:45 a.m., Daniel Olsen was traveling on his way to work. Without provocation, Pitt followed Mr. Olsen on the Branch Avenue bound platform, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him to the ground. Mr. Olsen landed on his right shoulder, resulting in a broken humerus that required surgery and months of physical therapy to repair. Pitt fled the scene but was identified based on CCTV footage, SmarTrip records, and his own statements that placed him at the scene of the crime. 

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Metro Transit Police Department Chief Michael Anzallo commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metro Transit Police Department. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kraig Ahalt and Shaniqua Butler, who investigated and prosecuted the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Coates Huether, Travis Wolf, Bonnie Lindemann, Sandra Braschi, and Benjamin Bleiberg, who initially investigated the case.