Busboys and Poets in DC robbed at gunpoint; police searching for 3 suspects

Busboys and Poets owner speaks out after armed robbery on K St.

Authorities are investigating after a Busboys and Poets location in D.C. was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend.

WASHINGTON - Busboys and Poets has released a statement in response to the armed robbery that occurred at one of its D.C. locations over the weekend.

"First and foremost, we are thankful that no one was physically injured during this incident," the restaurant stated.

"What we are witnessing is that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out both the best of people and the worst in people. That gun violence itself is in fact a pandemic. Busboys and Poets has always been a safe space, that is welcoming and open to all, and so this type of incident is very shocking to us. It is also indicative of the fact that this type of violence can happen anywhere if we do not address the root cause of gun violence."

The restaurant said it will offer counseling for its staff, and also host a series of community conversations and town hall meetings "in hopes that his unfortunate incident may be a catalyst to the change we all need to see in the world."

Officers say three armed suspects entered the business in the 400 block of K Street in the city's Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Police say one suspect demanded money from an employee. All three fled the scene through the back of the store and drove off in a dark Volvo sedan.

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Investigators say the suspects and what appears to be a dark-colored Volvo sedan were captured by surveillance cameras.

The surveillance video footage was released by D.C. Police on Tuesday.

A longtime fixture in the District, Busboys and Poets opened their original restaurant and bookstore on 14th and V Streets in 2005. The Mount Vernon Triangle location was opened in 2008.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text tips to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Police are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.