The 1997 Starbucks Tragedy: A Crime That Shook Washington D.C.
On July 6, 1997, a routine summer night turned into a nightmare at a Starbucks in the Georgetown area of Washington D.C. A lone gunman entered the store shortly after closing and ordered three employees to lie on the floor. Demanding access to the safe, the gunman grew enraged when they couldn’t comply, leading him to shoot each of them multiple times. This shocking crime left the community reeling, and the search for justice would last for years.
The Crime Scene and Investigation
The next morning, an opening employee made the horrifying discovery. Desperate for help, they flagged down a nearby bus driver, who contacted police. Despite a rapid response, authorities were left with very little evidence—just ten spent shell casings. No witnesses saw the crime unfold, and the case quickly grew cold.
For two years, police had few leads, and the Starbucks community struggled to cope with the loss. In a time when security systems weren’t as prevalent, many feared the potential for future incidents in an industry that thrives on late hours and cash transactions.
Breakthrough in the Case
It wasn’t until an episode of America’s Most Wanted aired that the case finally gained momentum. A viewer recognized details of the crime from her boyfriend’s story. She recalled that he had mentioned an associate, Carl Derek Cooper, who had bragged about killing three people at a Starbucks. She bravely approached law enforcement, and, wearing a wire, recorded her boyfriend recounting the murder in detail. The information matched the evidence from the crime scene, and police quickly moved forward.
Through a series of wiretaps and further investigations, Cooper was brought in for questioning. Initially, he denied involvement and claimed to have been home with his wife the night of the murders. However, as detectives dug into his criminal history, they discovered his involvement in numerous other violent crimes. Faced with mounting evidence, Cooper eventually struck a plea deal. In exchange for confessing to the Starbucks killings and another murder involving a security guard, Cooper avoided the death penalty, instead receiving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Impact on Starbucks and the Community
The tragedy at the Georgetown Starbucks sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. For Starbucks, this crime became a pivotal moment, reshaping how the company approached safety. The store where the incident occurred was permanently closed, but its memory lives on through a memorial fund created in honor of the victims. The fund was dedicated to supporting violence prevention initiatives and community organizations working to make neighborhoods safer.
In response to the incident, Starbucks implemented new security measures across all of its stores. These included using armored vehicles to transport cash and increasing security training for employees, particularly those working late-night shifts. The company’s commitment to safety became a top priority as it expanded globally.
A Reflection on Safety and Community
More than two decades later, the 1997 Starbucks tragedy still serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safety in public spaces. Coffee shops like Starbucks—and smaller, independent ones like Headcount Coffee—are meant to be safe havens for the community, where people gather, relax, and enjoy a shared moment over a cup of coffee.
At Headcount Coffee, we carry that belief with us every day. Coffee shops should be more than just places to grab a drink—they should be environments where people feel safe and connected. That’s why we’re committed to fostering welcoming, secure spaces for everyone who visits.