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David Howard, 36, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed following an investigation into the stabbing death of 45-year-old Ali Zarrincalaki on Thursday, March 2 in the 4200 block of Kansas Avenue in Northwest DC.
Neither man has a fixed address, and the conflict was reportedly over homelessness issues.
MPD Executive Assistant Chief Ashan Benedict said that at approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, the agency received an emergency call about a stabbing that had just taken place at the library.
The initial investigation determined that Zarrincalaki was sitting at a computer in the library when Howard followed him into the building, an altercation took place, and the former was stabbed in the neck.
Benedict said that the two men were known to each other and both are considered homeless or unhoused.
Others inside the library at the time of the attack leaped into action and were able to intervene, took Howard into custody and disarmed him until police arrived to investigate the targeted attack.
Benedict described the attack as “very deliberate,” adding that “it was very intentional what he was going for.”
“There is no ongoing threat to the public … the location (remains) open to the public,” Benedict said on Thursday night. “It’s unfortunate that this happened with other people inside, but it’s fortunate that we had others intervene and officers then responded immediately.
“After watching the vide, they intervene and stop the individual from continuing the attack and they disarm him until police arrive.”
In response to the incident, officials said that the Petworth Library will be closed for the rest of the weekend before reopening on Monday, March 6.
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