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Background: The apartment building on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C., where the killing occurred (Google Maps). Inset: Rico Barnes (DC Superior Court).
A man who was simply returning to his Washington, D.C., apartment with a late-night meal faced a brutal attack, resulting in his death, followed by an arson, according to officials.
Rico Barnes, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Syed Hammad Hussain, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced. Another suspect is in police custody on unrelated charges but charges relating to Hussain”s killing have not been brought, authorities said during a press conference streamed by local ABC affiliate WJLA on Tuesday.
In the early hours of February 11, around 1:30 a.m., Hussain headed back to his residence located on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C., a short distance from the White House. MPD Interim Police Chief Jeff Carroll shared that Hussain was “merely out to grab some food and was returning home.”
As Hussain entered the building, he responded to a knock at his door, investigators reported. “He let them in, likely believing they were fellow residents,” Carroll noted. “Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon, where residents mistakenly allow strangers into their buildings, assuming they are neighbors. In this tragic case, the culprits exploited his trust entirely.”
Authorities have found no evidence suggesting the attackers were acquainted with Hussain. “It seems he was targeted randomly as he made his way back,” the chief explained.
Once the assailants gained entry, they allegedly attacked Hussain and forced him into his first-floor apartment, described as a loft-style one-bedroom condo, as per an arrest affidavit cited by Law&Crime. The intruders reportedly restrained and assaulted him, stole numerous belongings, and set the apartment on fire before making their escape.
Surveillance footage captured the suspects “carrying multiple bags and clothing,” the court document goes on. Barnes allegedly held a bicycle and two bags, and wore “a black leather style jacket and a winter coat underneath,” none of which he had when he entered the building. The other suspect is also seen carrying several bags.
The suspects leaving the building on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue Northwest in Washington, D.C., with more items than they arrived with (DC Superior Court).
Authorities got a 911 call at about 3:30 a.m. that morning about “smoke detection.” When first responders arrived, they found apartment 106 “closed but unlocked,” and they entered the apartment “to find it engulfed in smoke.”
Once the fire was put out, authorities “observed a male victim lying prone on the floor in an unconscious and unresponsive state,” the affidavit states. The man — later identified as Hussain — “did not display any signs consistent with life,” and he was pronounced dead.
There was blood around his head, on the floor, and on a nearby wall, authorities said. He was also “bound at the wrists and ankles by neckties,” and two 25-pound metal dumbbells were on the floor nearby.
An autopsy determined Hussain’s cause of death to be homicide caused by blunt force trauma and ligature strangulation. Investigators learned that “[t]hermal injuries were present” on the body, but they were determined to have been suffered after he was already dead.
Police began investigating that morning, and they reportedly spoke with a witness who was with the two suspects just before the attack. With this witness and others’ help, investigators learned that the suspects allegedly stole an electric bicycle, jewelry, watches, an El Salvadoran passport, and foreign currency totaling up to $50,000.
The affidavit — dated March 18 — stated that investigators found probable cause to charge Barnes with Hussain’s murder. The suspect was arrested, jailed, and appeared in court on Tuesday.
He is set to return to court on May 18.