DC9 Can Reopen in Two Weeks: ABRA

A northwest D.C. bar connected to an alleged fatal beating can reopen later this month, the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration ruled at a hearing Wednesday.

DC9's liquor license will be suspended until Dec. 15. After that, the bar can reopen and serve liquor with certain restrictions.

DC9 has been closed by D.C. Police since four employees and a co-owner were accused in the beating death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed near the Ninth Street NW bar. ABRA suspended DC9's liquor license on Oct. 19.

Mohammed, 27, of Silver Spring, Md., was kicked and beaten about a block from the bar at about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 15, police said. He was denied entry into the DC9 nightclub after closing and allegedly threw a rock or a brick through the club's window. Witnesses and police said the man was then chased down by the five suspects, who were inside the club at the time. Lawyer Andrew Kline has argued that when the five chased Mohammed, they were making a legal citizen's arrest.

Police said Mohammed was tackled and beaten. He was barely conscious when police arrived, and he died at Howard University Hospital less than an hour later.

The co-owner and four employees each were originally charged with second-degree murder, but charges were reduced to aggravated assault before being dropped because there was insufficient evidence gathered ahead of a preliminary court proceeding. Charges could be refiled.

DC9 can serve alcohol if the accused co-owner and four employees cease their day-to-day relationship with the bar and all other license owned by Joe Englert, another DC9 co-owner, until Jan. 19, when another hearing will be held. In addition, club security must undergo background checks and get a training refresher. The club cannot detain people and will record incidents in a log and take part in the police department's reimbursable detail program.