(WASHINGTON, DC)  Shortly before 4 am on Sunday, May 27, 2007, two groups were rejected from the H2O Restaurant and Lounge located in the 800 block of Water Street, SW.  The two groups appeared to be in some type of altercation. The altercation continued on the 900 block of Water Street, SW, and a subject armed with a handgun allegedly shot a man in the head before fleeing.

Officers working detail near the H2O Restaurant and Lounge witnessed the shooting and immediately gave foot chase of the alleged gunman.  Officers ordered the suspect to drop his weapon.  While in the 900 block of Main Avenue, SW, the gunman allegedly turned his weapon toward pursuing officers. It was at this time that an officer was forced to fire, striking the gunman in the left hand, left thigh and groan area. 

The alleged gunman is identified at 26-year-old Rashod Charles Holmes, of the 500 block of Shepherd Street, NW.  Holmes was taken to MedStar and admitted in stable condition.  He is charged with Murder Two While Armed.

The victim shot in the heard was taken to George Washington University Hospital and was pronounced dead at 4:38 am.  He is identified as 39-year-old Nelson James Able, Jr. of the 500 block of Webster Street, NW.

The six year veteran officer involved in the shooting has been placed on routine administrative leave with pay. The case is currently under investigation by members of the Department's Office of Professional Responsibility's  Force Investigation Team.   The 31-year-old officer's identity will not be revealed because he is a potential witness.  

As a result of today's shooting, Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier has invoked the power vested in the Chief of Police by the Council of the District of Columbia to temporarily shut down by five p.m. today the H2O Restaurant and Lounge for 96 hours, pending an investigation by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration and the Office of the Attorney General.

“The temporary closing of this establishment will allow MPD and other authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the events of early this morning.  My main concern is the welfare of the public, and I am taking every precaution to ensure that there is no imminent danger to the patrons of the H2O Restaurant and Lounge,” said Chief Lanier.