Photo by Ronnie R.

Last Wednesday night, the owner of a Caribbean carryout in Bloomingdale was shot three times and robbed after closing her shop on the 1700 block of North Capitol Street NW. Police are now searching for two suspects in the case.

Marjorie Hutchinson told police she was walking to her car after closing Jam Doung when someone walked up behind her, brandished a handgun, and told her to “give up the bag,” according to a report from the Metropolitan Police Department. Hutchinson told police that she refused to surrender her bag, then a struggle ensued and the suspect struck her.

She was shot once in each wrist, and once in her leg, according to the report. An ambulance took her to a local hospital.

The gunman took about $1,000, which Hutchinson was carrying from the carryout’s cash register. MPD released a video of the incident, which police say took place around 9:50 p.m.

Bloomingdale blogger Scott Roberts says that Jam Doung is “an undiscovered treasure.” He says that people usually talk about the neighborhood’s other restaurants such as Big Bear Cafe, The Red Hen, and Boundary Stone, however, “everyone loves [Hutchinson’s] jerk chicken.”

Roberts wonders if Jam Doung is an easier target for robbers because it’s not a sit-down restaurant. He also says that it’s located on a block where there may not be a lot of traffic at night, save for people waiting for the bus. But despite the recent murders of Tricia McCauley and Seth Rich, Roberts says Bloomingdale is still safe compared to when he bought his house 25 years ago.

Hutchinson’s case remains under investigation. Police are searching for the shooter who they describe as about 6 feet tall. Officials are also looking for the gunman’s lookout who they say is a black male who was wearing a black and grey hoodie, black jeans, and black and white shoes at the time of the incident.