Barcode Ordered Closed While Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing
MPD Chief Cathy Lanier has ordered Barcode (1101 17th St. NW) closed while police investigate a fatal stabbing that occurred there late Sunday night.
According to police, someone stabbed 29-year-old Robinson Pal and another man during a large fight inside the bar on Sunday around 11:30 p.m. Though Pal died of his injuries shortly after the assault, the other man was rushed to George Washington University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to authorities, additional officers were called in to subdue an “unruly and aggressive crowd,” and patrons exiting the bar “continued to interfere with the officers who were attempting to restore order.” Investigators later found a bloody knife and several pieces of broken glass strewn across the business.
Lanier has ordered the bar to close its doors for 96 hours while police continue to investigate the stabbing.
“This homicide can be directly connected to the operations of Barcode and it is clear from the violent outcome that the establishment jeopardized the safety of residents and visitors to the city,” Lanier wrote in a letter posted to the front door of the building yesterday evening.
Barcode co-owner Arman Amirshahi declined to comment when contacted by Borderstan, but the bar tweeted the following message earlier this morning:
We regret to inform you that we we be closed for the next few days. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause!
— Barcode (@barcodedc) February 2, 2016
