Arrest Made in February Murder Case
A man has been charged following the murder of Saeed Hamad Hussein, a 40-year-old resident found dead in his Logan Circle apartment in Washington, D.C. Police characterized the incident as particularly brutal, involving robbery, violent assault, and arson after death.
Rico Rashard Barnes, a 36-year-old from Northwest D.C., was apprehended on Monday and faces armed first-degree murder charges related to Hussein’s death. Another suspect has been identified and is already in custody on unrelated charges.
The crime occurred on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW, a bustling area known for its restaurants and upscale buildings. Interim Metropolitan Police Chief Jeff Carroll referred to the murder as “particularly heinous,” noting that Hussein was found with signs of blunt force trauma and burns in his apartment.
On February 11, at approximately 3:30 a.m., firefighters responded to smoke detected in Hussein’s apartment. After extinguishing a small fire, they discovered Hussein unconscious and not breathing; he was declared dead at the scene.
The autopsy categorized the death as a homicide, attributing it to blunt force trauma and strangulation, while also confirming that the fire was set after Hussein’s death.
Details from a 27-page affidavit reveal that surveillance footage captured Hussein entering the building around 1:30 a.m., followed closely by two men. Commander Kevin Kentish explained that soon after, the assailants knocked on the door, and Hussein let them in.
Once inside, police noted that the situation escalated quickly. Video evidence and witness statements suggest Hussein was assaulted in the lobby, punched, and taken forcefully into an apartment. Investigators suspect the violence continued off-camera.
Emergency responders later found Hussein face down in the apartment, with his wrists and ankles bound, and there were significant blood stains throughout the space. An autopsy indicated multiple blunt force injuries, including a skull fracture, and confirmed signs of ligature strangulation. Notably, the burns on his body were determined to have occurred post-mortem. Authorities indicated that the killing occurred during a robbery.
Items valued at about $50,000, including electronics and jewelry, were reported missing from the condominium, with drawers ransacked and the place left in disarray. Kentish emphasized that video evidence played a crucial role in the investigation, requiring detectives to review hours of footage from the building’s vicinity.
Tracking revealed the suspects leaving the premises around 2:30 a.m. with bags in hand. They were monitored as they moved through Northwest Washington, utilizing bus transit to cover more ground.
Through this process, investigators identified Barnes as one of the suspects. They also linked a second suspect, Alphonso Walker, to the crime through similar footage and GPS data from an ankle monitor in the area.
Burns, as mentioned, was taken into custody on March 30 by the Metropolitan Regional Fugitive Task Force. Police have stated that they don’t anticipate other suspects being involved in the case.
Chief Carroll commended the detectives’ efforts, calling their investigative work “strong.” He extended heartfelt condolences to Hussein’s family, hoping that, while the news might not alleviate their pain, it could offer some sense of closure.
As the case proceeds in D.C. Superior Court, Barnes remains in custody.
