WASHINGTON D.C., DC — DC police are asking for the public’s help in finding the person in connection with a deadly attack on a Virginia man on February 2nd outside a high-end restaurant.
Friends of Vivek Taneja told WUSA9 that the assault happened on the opening night of Akedo, an arcade and bar owned by the same team who operate Shoto, a high-end Japanese restaurant at 15th and L Streets, NW.
A nearby manager who knew the victim told WUSA9 the fight started inside Akedo. Both men were kicked out. That’s when police said around 2 a.m. the verbal altercation got physical.
The victim was knocked to the ground, and he hit his head on the concrete suffering severe head trauma. Friends said he was off life support on Wednesday, February 7.
Taneja, 41, went by Vick and was well-known in the social scene in D.C. He was the co-founder and president of Dynamo Technologies in Vienna and a graduate of UVA, George Mason, and George Washington Universities. He was well-loved by neighbors who left flowers on his doorstep Friday afternoon.
According to the police incident report, Vick was out with a female companion when she was getting harassed and assaulted by the suspect. Vick stepped in to defend her.
Friday, police released surveillance video of the suspect walking in the courtyard outside the bar. They are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information may call (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.
WUSA9 visited Taneja’s Alexandria home where we saw devastated friends laying flowers and praying for Taneja. Neighbors describe him as a loving neighbor who was considered an uncle to many community children.
“That’s all Vick was. He always wanted to see people happy and he wanted to make sure everything was cool,” said Rizal Dumadag.
“I am absolutely devastated,” added Natashia Nguyen. “Vick was such a kind person and he’s super helpful in the neighborhood with the kids. They love him, especially my daughter, she grew up with Vick and she calls him Uncle Vick.”
“With social media, I think that people record everything so I‘m hoping that someone caught a glimpse of what was going on at the time,” said Sasha Vanessa Brenes.
The police report indicated this could be a violation of Akedo’s liquor license. However, ABCA has yet to receive a request from MPD for a “fact-finding hearing.”
WUSA9 reached out to the restaurant management and we’re still waiting to hear back.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.