Tuesday, July 21, 2015

3 Men Reportedly Robbed Vendetta Last Night & Attacked a GM [UPDATED]

DSC_0087
Margaret Holwill (@HStreetDC_) reports that popular bar and restaurant Vendetta (1212 H Street) was robbed by three men early this morning around last call. They also reportedly pistol whipped the general manager. MPD sent out the alert that appears below at 1:11am. I've reached out to Vendetta representatives for confirmation and comment. I will update as more information becomes available.
++++++++
UPDATE
++++++++

A representative from Vendetta has confirmed the robbery and attack. Here's a brief further statement:

We are obviously shocked. It's a horrible, scary thing to have happen. Our main concern right now is to ensure our GM is ok and provide the police as much information [as possible] so they can do their work.
A second Vendetta representative added the following:
We hope this unfortunate event can be used to draw attention to the fact that this is a community issue; these are our community members committing crimes like these- they are not driving from far away lands. We urge and ask those concerned to please call, set-up meetings, lobby, and volunteer with organizations that are creating good in the community that you live/work in.


39 comments:

Anonymous said...

disgusting culture

Anonymous said...

Commit crime on H, get away on Benning/Bladensburg. Those two roads and the people that linger there are constant problems.

Want to start fixing things, eliminate Starburst. One less place to hang around, drink, piss, and rob. I hate to get rid of public spaces but the public can't handle ti.

inked said...

11:05,
Eliminate the Starburst & replace it with what? You'd still have a large concrete patch there. I agree that's a problematic space, but I think that's largely because it's neglected. I know that H Street Main Street has planned some upcoming events for the space. Perhaps more things along this vein coupled with a heavier police presence and enforcement of things like public drinking laws could help.

I'd be curious to see what others think might help solve the problems at the Starburst Intersection.

Anonymous said...

These are violent crimes being committed by poor Black Men in DC. Other areas have their problem neighbors, but we must deal with ours. Tips: Cross the street when you see them and stay only in well lit areas and travel only with groups after sundown. If you own a store follow them and make sure your cameras and alarms work. Refuse service if you can by using a buzzer and don't allow them on the premise. Don't rent to them even if they pass a credit check because they will date or have family members that may be unwanted. Bars on the windows and don't allow UPS to leave packages , because like food left out packages only attract them to your door.

Nate said...

If you're going to post some racist bull shit on a blog like this, at least have the courage to leave your name.

Really sorry to hear about this, and I hope the GM is okay, but it'll probably take a while for *everyone* present to forget an encounter as terrifying as this one.

Anonymous said...

so, so far, big board, ritas, vendetta, manny and olga's have all been robbed this year. any other places that i'm missing?

Anonymous said...

Not sure what Starburst has to do w/ this incident. This is just part of life in the city, especially in an area in transition.

Anonymous said...

@12:01 Quit your bitchin. Go thru the archives of this blog and watch the videos. I have described actual past crimes and used only facts. Keep your emotions in check sorry if reality hurts you feelings but people need to protect themselves from violent crimes. If you have anything useful to add to help protect you neighbors please contribute otherwise stfu

inked said...

Nate,
Ignore that jerk. He's just trolling (poorly) like he always does. Maybe one day he'll get the help he so obviously needs and cut that mess out.

Anonymous said...

In fairness to the racist commenter, can anyone find any instances of violent street crime in the District for the past year or so that wasn't committed by black men? MPD's twitter and the neighborhood blogs turn up nothing for me. Is it racist if it is backed by facts? Can someone find a robbery, mugging, or assault that isn't tagged b/m?

Anonymous said...

i read a day or two ago on the frozen tropics twitter that an asian male child was committing crimes in trinidad. so, that's something.

Anonymous said...

i think the motive was that he was looking for more advanced calculus books

Anonymous said...

He's certainly not going to find those in Trinidad.

Anonymous said...

First of all, I'm black, and hate these people more than anyone. Not only am I subjected to the tremendous nuisance these people create, but I'm also subjected to the racial suspicion wrought by their bad acts. Funny thing is, I'm not from DC, grew up in a 99%-white upper middle class community in a college town. So, besides skin color, I share no real cultural affinities with the people involved in most of these crimes. They are not my family, not my peers, not my associates in any sense of the word. YET, there will be people that tell me that its my responsibility to cure the ills of "my" community.

Anonymous said...

that's racist. black people are perfectly capable of math. what's $165 divided by 3? first black person who answers gets a prize.

Anonymous said...

@2:02 They are not your problem and not your responsibility. They are also not just a nuisance, they are a danger. Please do not call me a racist when I point out the majority of violent crime in this area is committed by black men. Yes we can argue over a million reasons as to why black men commit violent crimes, but you do not have one valid excuse for them.
When my neighbors are in fear or getting beaten down you should run over and tell them why it is society's fault such things happen to them.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps there was a vendetta against Vendetta?

Anonymous said...

@ 2:18,

Whether someone is a "racist" has never been a particularly illuminating or interesting question to me. I get that some are obsessed with who is and isn't a "racist," but its a tiresome and worthless debate. People toss out the "racist" charge to shut down debate. Or (equally as often) people preemptively charge that they have been called a racist, even where no such accusation has been made (also as a way of de-legitimatizing the views of their interlocutor). Putting aside that people can engage in "racist" behavior without "racist" being the sum of who they are...

There is no need to point out that most crime in DC is committed by young black men. To my knowledge, no one has argued to the contrary. But what are you asking people to do with that information? Black people in DC are disproportionately poor/ lower class. Whites people in DC are disproportionately affluent (and transplants, like me). We would expect that criminal behavior (at least that which is policed) to be more prevalent among the poorer classes, even if they are, in fact, overwhelmingly law-abiding on a percentage basis. This doesn't mean that we "excuse" the criminal acts of anyone, because NO ONE deserves to be victimized (even if the criminal is also a "victim" of circumstance a broader cosmic sense).

The fact that most crime in DC is perpetrated by young black men isn't an observation that tells us much, so much as it begs the question as to why black people in DC are disproportionately poor / lower class. Or more precisely, why do so many black people find themselves born into areas of concentrated urban poverty and all that stems from that condition? [Most poor whites DO NOT live in areas of concentrated poverty, but things are getting progressively worse for our lower class white population. Why now? What changed?] Note that this question is quite distinct from what individual black people might do to remove themselves from that situation (as most DC transplants were born into much more favorable circumstances) and therefore never had to worry about climbing out of such a pit in the first place. I know I didn't.

Asking these questions does not preclude us from taking steps to defend ourselves from those that might do us harm or seeing that those people are punished -- harshly if necessary. [I have ZERO sympathy for violent criminals!] Nor does it preclude us from sizing up people on the street, including packs of young black men with a certain demeanor. I'm black and I do that. I also curse the young (likely black kids) that toss litter on my front lawn. But none of that causes me to ignore the social-historical forces that have led us to this place. It isn't and either/or proposition...unless you are more comfortable putting certain questions out of your head.

Annoyingmous said...


Anon 12:18 -- your post is disingenuous. You ask the question "what fraction of violent crimes in the area are committed by young black men?" But the original racist poster was suggesting that people take strong measures to protect themselves from young black men in general: the suggestion was that there's a significant risk from young black men, period. That being the case, the question you *should* have asked is not "what fraction of violent crimes in the area are committed by young black men", but rather, "what fraction of young black men in the area commit violent crimes?"

I think we both know that the answer to the first question is a very high percentage, but the answer to the second is low. The fact that you chose to frame the issue in the misleading fashion you did is suspicious.

Nate said...

@Inked: Sorry for feeding a troll!

@2:18, your question has been ably answered by @5:12 and @4:52. Thanks to both of them for taking the time to articulate their thoughts so carefully and ably.

inked said...

Nate,
No worries! I more just meant that as reminder not to let him get under your skin. Normal rational people don't think or write things like that. Trolls do it because they're trolls and they suck at life.

Anonymous said...

@ 5:12, so you would take the answer to your question, sit outside your home late at night with an ipad, and if a group of young black men walk in the direction of your home, would you feel safe? are you going to go with your stats?

i have a suggestion in response to the Vendetta employee asking groups to take action. why not host Tom Faison or some other brokerage on home values in the area? make a strong effort to invite African-American homeowners, give out free food or drinks, get Tom to bring some comps on what homes go for in the area, and what homes go for in Maryland.

Anonymous said...

Alert: Stabbing Investigation at 1700 hrs in the 1600 block of G Street S.E. Lookout for B/M, 30-40 years old, 5' 11", dark complexion, black shirt, dark jeans.
DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT # I20150410987
Sent to 1st District (PSA 101-108) Alert DC
Sent by MPD CAD # 7100

Stay Safe My Friends!

Annoyingmous said...


Anon 6pm -- the original racist poster suggested that because the vast majority of violent crime in the area is committed by black men, one should take measures to segregate oneself and one's activities from all black men. This despite the fact that the vast majority of black men do not commit violent crime. If you can't see the racism there, no one can help you.

That said, I suspect you *do* see the racism there, and are just trolling. Hence the second half of your post, suggesting that Vendetta work to encourage black homeowners to move away. I hope your offline life gets better soon, and that you thus find some constructive ways to entertain yourself.


Anonymous said...

@6:30 The majority of Black Men do not commit violent crimes, but black men are committing 99% of the violent crimes on all of us every night. This is untenable and if we don't work together the outcome will not be a mutually acceptable one. Instead of attacking the messenger why not suggest an approach or a solution that is realistic?

poo poo's second concubine twice removed said...

i have a realistic idea, although it may not be for everyone! POTOMAC! crime is (in relation to parts of DC) relatively low there. you see, instead of drinking overpriced PBRs and oyster shooters, you save that money for a down payment on a low-key pad in potomac! SOLVED!

that's me folks, solver of problems.

Anonymous said...

YES! Solve our problems but running away and let the city go to shit again the way the previous residents let happen. Sorry, the new comers actually give a shit our our communities and making them safer. You should help go make PG worse.

pat said...

well i'm going to go have a drink at Vendetta to help support them.
Perhaps we could have a fundraiser for the GM, as a sign of support.

Anonymous said...

I have wotked on Hst for over 12 years.I cant stop laughing at this toursit who thinks every assault is committed by black folk. As a 4th generation Washingtonian, I have seen white people comitting all kinds of crimes. If you dont know that, then you obviously arent from here. Go back to Maryland.

pat said...

Did Vendetta have some cameras? Were they able to get video of the suspects?

Anonymous said...

Hey 4:13, I saw a unicorn too!

Anonymous said...

As a local resident and someone who goes to this restaurant a lot, this is disturbing. I'm glad everyone is okay.

But, I don't see a logical connection between this event and the race-baiting. Whatever the troll earlier said about researching crime records, who cares how many crimes were committed by people that happened to be black? AA kids are the ones robbing people in the neighborhood. There's also a black man running the country. What does race have to do with either? Answer me troll! that's right, nothing

Anonymous said...

@ 11:54, perhaps some can not see the significance at the moment of identifying AAs are the problem for many things. great discoveries are usually made from establishing facts that may not seem relevant at the moment. this is true even in the social sciences. i.e, AA's having problems gaining entrance into universities and employment, Affirmative Action is instituted.

in regards to the black man running this country. he is indeed qualified for an important job. i voted for him. however, Baracks are a handful in a pool of blacks. actually, one can make an argument that Barack is not 100% AA because his mom was white. as much as I want to see AAs in more positions of importance other than sports whether they be political, business, academic, artistic ( not hip hop oriented), one can't get to those positions based on Affirmative Action. that said, it takes more than Harvard lawyers and MIT scientists to run a community. AAs are qualified to do a lot of things our community needs to get done. and I would like to continue to see AAs filling these rolls for our community until the problems committed by AAs get so chaotic, for the sake of safety of me and my woman, I would rather just have Latinos come in.

Tom said...

The more I think about this; the more this seems like the robbers wanted to send a message to someone who was working there. Dare I say, they had a vendetta to settle. I'm here all week folks! But seriously, let's look at some fact here. Vendetta is not a popular bar. Plus, it was a Monday night. Why would a group of robbers select this place unless it was for personal reasons? A few doors down, Little Miss Whisky's is a cash only business and way more popular--even on a Monday. Jimmy Valentines is also cash only and on a desolate strip of Bladensburg. Some may dismiss this reasoning by claiming the robbers were just opportunists and selected a bar at random. I dismiss this because of the sole fact they were armed. DC has very strict hand gun regulations, so only really smart criminals could thwart such forward thinking, Liberal progressive gun restrictions. Right?

Anonymous said...

Tom , Gun restrictions you are joking right, did you not see the video here of blacks driving the suv with a gun sticking out every window?

Anonymous said...

^ they had a vendetta against air conditioning

Anonymous said...

Joe Englert said:
Tom,
Please think before you post. So, a hard-working guy who has three jobs, one of them volunteering with high school kids, deserves or was asking to be pistol-whipped? Our establishment made some sort of sworn enemies during our ASL trivia or Opera Night? Maybe a wronged bocce ball team coming back for revenge? Give me a break you part-time Matlock. And best of all....you attribute reasoning power and major deductive reasoning to three idiot cowards with guns looking to make some quick cash? You owe our establishment and our GM an apology. Wither the internet....

Anonymous said...

Hell yeah Joe! Now that is indeed MY NGA!

curmudgeon said...

Joe: Tom is big on posts that aren't well-thought-out. There'll be more where that one came from, sorry to say.