WASHINGTON – In Washington DC, detectives are still searching for the suspects involved in a four-person shooting over the weekend that left two people dead. The shooting occurred on M Street, just steps from the King Street Oyster Bar.
Police Chief Pamela Smith met with NoMa residents at a special town hall meeting Thursday evening.
The meeting, held at Mount Airy Baptist Church on North Capitol Street, became heated as congregants expressed frustration over rising crime rates in the area.
The shooting occurred early Saturday morning and resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Terrell Osbourne Jr., a recent graduate of Dunbar High School, and 33-year-old Antonio Williams.
According to reports, a suspect driving a white Honda Accord opened fire, also injuring a man and a woman.
Following the shooting, Chief Smith temporarily closed the King Street Oyster Bar for 96 hours, citing a safety violation related to the bar’s exterior decor.
She claimed that the staging created an atmosphere that helped attract a crowd before the shooting.
The restaurant has now reopened.
Police Chief Smith addressed concerns that her department was blaming the bar for the violence.
“I didn’t say that. We want to make sure that the safety measures were implemented appropriately,” Chief Smith said.
Restaurant owner Rick Allison attended Thursday’s meeting and apologized for not moving the chairs. He stressed that the restaurant is cooperating with police and providing security camera footage and other information.
Residents at the meeting expressed frustration with the ongoing crime on M Street. Police data and reports from residents indicate that there has been an increase in criminal activity, including shootings, robberies and car thefts, near a particular M Street apartment building since early 2024.
Residents criticized police for their lack of proactive engagement, pointing out that officers often remained in their cars.
Chief Smith responded by promising to increase police presence on foot and bike patrols to build stronger relationships with the community.
“If we’re in cars all the time in the communities, we’re not building those relationships,” she said. “I know there are some officers who are on foot or on bikes, but we want to make sure that’s carried over to the entire district.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip.