Suspect Identified In Robbery, Shooting At Ashkenaz Music Venue In Berkeley
BERKELEY (CBS SF) - Berkeley police have released the name of a suspect in a robbery and shooting at the Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center last weekend.
Christopher Washington, 25, of Rodeo, was arrested early Saturday morning after two armed suspects entered the music venue shortly after midnight and demanded cash from employees, according to Berkeley police.
The suspects shot and wounded two employees before fleeing from the center, located at 1317 San Pablo Ave.
Washington was arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted murder and other felony charges, police said. He was booked into the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on no bail.
According to jail records, Washington was scheduled to appear in court at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland Wednesday morning.
The second suspect remains at large.
The employees who were shot included Concord resident Larry Chin, who has worked at Ashkenaz for about 30 years and serves at the center's managing director.
Chin was shot in the head, while the second employee, who has worked at the music venue for about five years, was struck in the arm, an Ashkenaz spokesman said.
The robbery happened after a Friday night show celebrating the 40th anniversary of the center, which is an international music and dance venue and teaching center.
Both victims have since been released from the hospital and are recuperating at home.
The center posted on its Facebook page Monday evening that a benefit show is being planned for the victims.
Donations are being accepted at the center's website at www.ashkenaz.com or by check send to 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA, 94702.
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