NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 12, 2002
5:45 P.M.
Alexandria Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Stabbing;
Local Man Charged in Second Homicide of the Year
Today, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Alexandria detectives arrested Ziad Karim Bechara
and charged him with Malicious Wounding for the stabbing death of his wife which occurred on July 1.
On Monday, July 1, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police responded to the 3500 block of Gunston Road for a report of a woman bleeding. Upon arrival, police discovered the victim, a 38-year-old female City resident, bleeding from the upper torso. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds, and was flown to the Washington Hospital Center Medstar Unit where she underwent surgery for her life-threatening injuries. At 8:58 p.m., the victim, Suzanna Bechara, was pronounced dead.
Investigation revealed that the woman had been stabbed multiple times by her husband. The victim managed to escape and went to a neighbor who called for help. After the assault, the suspect barricaded himself inside the house. When police attempted to enter the home, they detected a strong odor of natural gas. A perimeter was established and the Special Operations Team and the Hostage Negotiation Team were deployed. The fire department assisted during the operation and shut off gas to the house. Police immediately began to evacuate some of the neighbors and set up a command post.
Attempts to communicate with the suspect continued throughout the night with negative results. At 11:55 p.m., the Special Operations Team forced entry into the home and found the suspect, Ziad Karim Bechara, a 39-year-old white male, suffering from an apparent self-inflicted stab wound. He was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital and remained there until today when he was released and taken into custody by Alexandria detectives.
Bechara is being held without bond at the Alexandria jail. An arrest photograph is not available at this time. For further details, please contact the Public Information Office.
(end)
Translate