Two Washington DC males face first-degree homicide expenses after allegedly choking, beating and burning a 40-year-old man in his upscale Logan Circle apartment. Authorities say the suspects exploited the sufferer’s generosity following a late-night meals run.
The Brutal Assault Unfolds
Syed Hammad Hussain died on February 11 inside his loft-style one-bedroom condo within the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW. The property in The Zenith constructing holds a worth exceeding $480,000.
Surveillance footage exhibits Hussain getting into the constructing round 1:30 a.m. Two males trailed him into the foyer, the place the assault started earlier than shifting out of digicam vary. Interim Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll defined that the suspects knocked on Hussain’s door after the preliminary assault. Hussain allow them to inside, probably assuming they had been neighbors. “I am certain he most likely thought it was someone else from the constructing … on this case, they only took benefit of him,” Carroll acknowledged throughout a press convention.
Crime Scene Particulars
Firefighters discovered Hussain’s physique face-down in the lounge round 3:30 a.m. after a 911 name reported smoke within the hallways. His arms had been sure with neckties, blood smeared his head, the ground and a close-by wall, and two 25-pound dumbbells rested shut by. The condo stuffed with smoke from a small hearth that officers shortly extinguished.
The District of Columbia’s Chief Medical Examiner dominated the reason for loss of life as blunt pressure trauma mixed with ligature strangulation. Hussain suffered three cranium fractures and neck abrasions in keeping with a cord-like ligature. Extreme burns charred his chest and higher physique postmortem.
Suspects Recognized and Charged
Rico Barnes, 36, and Alphonso Walker, 39, face first-degree homicide expenses. Barnes labored simply blocks from the scene. Walker wore a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor that positioned him on the apartment through the killing; he was already in custody on unrelated expenses.
Investigators tracked the suspects through citywide video footage. Felony Investigations Division Commander Kevin Kentish famous, “Our murder detectives poured numerous hours into finding video that captured the suspects after they left Mr. Hussain’s condo.”
The apartment confirmed indicators of ransacking, with lacking laptops, cellphone and bicycle charger. Hussain’s cellphone pinged close to the 700 block of Fairmont Avenue by Howard College quickly after the suspects fled, aiding identification.
Sources verify Barnes and Walker visited an acquaintance post-attack, carrying a bag with $50,000 in overseas foreign money, jewellery, watches, laptops and an El Salvador passport. They reportedly admitted getting into a house, tying up a “overseas particular person” and putting him every time he regained consciousness.
Sufferer’s Household Mourns
Hussain’s uncle, Syed Ok. Hussain, described the loss as “so devastating for us.” He added, “He lived his life. He was pleased,” and intends to watch the upcoming trials.
Subsequent Court docket Appearances
DC Superior Court docket schedules Barnes for a preliminary listening to on Could 18 and Walker on June 2.
