The District has pulled the alcohol license of the Dupont Circle restaurant where a man was killed and five others were stabbed or wounded, citing the Indian food restaurant's inability to control the violence during weekend parties.
Heritage India bar and restaurant violated its own security plan. Surveillance cameras, which could have helped the homicide investigation, did not work, according to the city's notice.
The restaurant owners returned the restaurant's liquor license to the city alcohol board on Wednesday.
The owners have until next week to appeal the suspension.
"As far as we're concerned, they can no longer serve alcohol," said Cynthia Simms, of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
The restaurant remained closed Thursday after D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier ordered it closed for 96 hours. No arrests have been made in the case.
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It's unclear whether the restaurant will reopen. A spokeswoman for the business did not respond to a request by The Washington Examiner for comment.
The city's notice gave new details about the early Sunday morning events that led to the shooting death of 34-year-old Jhonte Coleman, of Suitland.
City officials said the business, which has essentially turned the popular lunchtime eatery into a night club on weekends, has violated its security plan:
-- It failed to use metal detectors on customers as they entered.
-- Security personnel were not using radios or earpieces to communicate.
-- The promoters, rather than security workers, kept count of the customers.
District investigators say that the event, called "Black Out" Thanksgiving, was open to the public and had a cover charge. It was promoted by "Mel Productions," which promised "free shots for ladies all night." That contradicts statements by Heritage India officials, who on Tuesday said the violence broke out while the restaurant was hosting a private party.
After several fights Saturday night, the staff turned on the lights and told the patrons to leave. Someone in the club yelled that a patron had been stabbed.
The fighting continued in the middle of Connecticut Avenue, where another patron was beaten unconscious while being stomped.
A man that was stabbed in the stomach returned to the club and collapsed on a sofa.
Three other patrons were shot, including Coleman, who was shot in the back.
"The sidewalk and street were covered with blood," the notice said.
The restaurant already was under review by the alcohol board after a massive brawl sent at least two people to the hospital.
