WASHINGTON — Three kitchen employees of a popular restaurant were found shot in the head inside a walk-in freezer in what police describe as a possible robbery.

Rodney Barnes, 47, of Washington, D.C., and Neomi Payne, 48, of Hyattsville, Md., were found dead Sunday. Joshua Greenberg, 34, of Glen Echo, Md., was taken to a local hospital where he died.

They worked at Colonel Brooks' Tavern, where they were preparing to open for brunch. Greenberg was the head chef, Payne a cook, and Barnes a dishwasher.

A manager called police after hearing gunshots inside the restaurant. He escaped through a second-story window.

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Police sources said detectives think robbery was the motive.

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