A recreational basketball game at Leesburg’s Ida Lee Park Recreation Center turned violent Sunday evening when, according to police, a 23-year-old man struck a juvenile in the face hard enough to send the child to the hospital.
Leesburg Police have charged Jacob D. Martin, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, with malicious wounding after the incident, which happened around 6:30 p.m. on December 28. The game was being held inside the town-run rec center on Ida Lee Drive, a popular spot for local families.
Officers say the adult suspect hit the juvenile during the game and then left before they arrived. The young victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of what were described as serious injuries.
Martin turned himself in to Leesburg Police on Tuesday afternoon, December 30. He’s now being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
Police are not releasing any identifying information about the juvenile involved due to privacy laws.
The department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident and hasn’t already spoken with officers to call them at 703-771-4500.
This incident has rattled families in the community who see the Ida Lee rec center as a safe space for kids to play, especially during the winter months. The town has not yet said whether it will review safety protocols for adult and youth interactions during open gym or organized activities.
