The confrontation unfolded on the grounds of Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington, where a father allegedly choked his 17-year-old daughter to unconsciousness after she refused to comply with an arranged marriage. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as students intervened, attempting to separate the man from his daughter. A video shows a teenage boy, reportedly her boyfriend, trying to pull her father away while shouting for help. The incident has ignited concerns about cultural pressures, domestic violence, and the failure of institutions to protect vulnerable minors.
The altercation stemmed from the teen’s refusal to travel to Iraq for a marriage arranged by her parents, Ihsan and Zahraa Ali. Her defiance had already led to her running away from home and seeking help at her school. On October 18, her parents allegedly arrived at the school in an apparent attempt to take her by force. Witnesses say the father’s anger escalated into physical violence, with the mother also joining the assault. “My dad is trying to kill me,” the teen reportedly told school officials before they initiated a lockdown to protect her.
Authorities say the incident was an attempted “honor killing,” a violent reaction to what the parents saw as rebellion. The girl’s father, according to court filings, also attacked her boyfriend, punching him so hard he fell onto the concrete. Victor Barnes, the boy’s father, revealed that his family had endured months of conflict with the Alis over the interracial relationship. A prior attempt by the girl’s parents to kidnap Barnes’ son from school had led to a temporary restraining order against Zahraa Ali.
The school has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. Despite knowing about the teen’s fraught circumstances, officials reportedly asked her boyfriend, a fellow student, to escort her to a bus stop on the day of the attack, raising questions about why no adults intervened. Barnes expressed gratitude that his son was present to protect her but criticized the school’s failure to ensure her safety. “It could have cost her life,” he told reporters.
Both Ihsan and Zahraa Ali are now facing charges of attempted murder, assault, and kidnapping. Their daughter is currently in the care of a local shelter, where she is receiving protection and support. The case has drawn national attention to the intersection of cultural traditions, gender violence, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to shield at-risk students.
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