WASHINGTON — D.C. police have arrested a suspect in the January stabbing of a customer inside Barcode, a popular club near the Farragut North Metro station.
Antoine Byrd, 35, of Northeast, is charged with first-degree murder while armed. He was arrested Wednesday.
Byrd is charged with stabbing Robinson Pal, 29, of Riverdale, Maryland, inside the club in the 1100 block of 17th Street, Northwest, on Jan. 31.
According to charging documents, on the night of the stabbing Pal had told a witness that Byrd had robbed him previously, and gestured to Byrd, who was also in the club.
Several witnesses described Byrd and Pal arguing.
The affidavit in support of an arrest warrant says that one witness observed Byrd “grab the decedent around the neck and another individual (who will be referred to as Subject A) flick a knife open and stab the decedent in the upper body.”
An off-duty police officer, who had previous interactions with Byrd, identified him as the person who was seen running from the club, shortly after the stabbings.
A witness who was working security for the club heard Byrd yell “I’m going to kill you” at Pal during the violent struggle.
Another witness, who tried to grab the knife from the unidentified subject A, was stabbed in the palm of the hand. He survived his injury.
D.C. Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham and prosecutors would not comment on whether they know the identity of the person who allegedly stabbed Pal while Byrd held him.
“We intend on pursuing all leads until all responsible parties are identified in this tragic case,” Newsham told WTOP in an email.
After the stabbings, Barcode was ordered closed for 96 hours by D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier.
In a letter, earlier this month, to D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulations Administration, Lanier said “unruly and aggressive” patrons interfered with uniformed officers investigating the stabbings, and that police found a bloody knife and broken glass strewed across the dance floor. The Washington Post reported the contents of the letter.
Byrd is expected to make his first court appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday afternoon.
