Federal prosecutors dropped charges against five people charged in beating to death a man ouside a U Street area nightclub.
The men — four employees and an owner of the DC9 nightclub — were charged in the death of 27-year-old Ali Ahmed Mohammed last month. Police said Mohammed threw an object through a window at the club and was chased by a group of people and beaten to death.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr: “Our work is not done. The tragic death of Ali Ahmed Mohammed demands that we undertake a careful and comprehensive investigation to determine precisely how he died. Today’s action was taken after a detailed examination of the evidence gathered during the first three weeks of the investigation and a determination that we need more information before moving forward.”
Five people had been released on charges of aggravated assault: Daryll Carter Jr., 20, of Northeast D.C.; Reginald Philips, 22, of Northwest D.C.; Evan Preller, 28, of Northwest D.C.; William Spieler, 46, of Northwest D.C.; and Arthur Zaloca, 25, of Silver Spring, Md. Spieler is a part-owner of the establishment.
