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Family of three-year-old say she was maced by DC police

On June 13, police searched black men outside the barber shop after they insisted one was found with a handgun. Clashes with police erupted at the scene on Monday.

WASHINGTON -- It was a big Monday night for little Riley Ross. As police showed up outside Nook's Barbershop on Sheriff Road in Northeast DC, her family said she was maced.

The three-year-old spent the night in Children's Hospital.

"It was like a war," said Amesha Glover, Riley's aunt. She, along with Riley's mother, said police came charging at them.

"They didn't even pay attention to that she was screaming and yelling," said Glover. "They were so focused on making sure that these guys would leave from one spot to another spot."

RELATED: Police pepper spray 6-year-old who stabbed grandmother

On June 13, police searched black men outside the barber shop after they insisted one was found with a handgun. Clashes with police erupted at the scene on Monday.

Many who were there returned once again to a planned "sit-out" outside the barbershop on Tuesday.

"It's hurtful," said Anthony Lorenzo Green, the ANC Commissioner for the neighborhood. "I saw captains and sergeants fighting with the community."

D.C. police have not responded to specific requests about whether they were indeed macing on Monday night.

"We understand the tensions following the incident that occurred yesterday. Please know that we will continue to work with residents of the community, Advisory Neighborhood Commission, and stakeholders," said Metropolitan Police Department Public Affairs Specialist Karimah Bilal in a statement to WUSA9. "The most important thing is that we work together."

Those who were arrested on Monday say they were not charged. They sid police tensions have grown old and a child is proof.

"It's going to be a lot of craziness going on if something doesn't get done about this," said Glover.

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