Dad Shoots Another Parent at School Pickup After Dispute, Then Keeps Firing as Victim Flees

**Portland Father Found Guilty of Attempted Murder in School Shooting Incident**

A 43-year-old father, Noureddine Dib, has been convicted of second-degree attempted murder following a shocking shooting incident at the Islamic School of Portland. The event unfolded on 17 October 2024, during the school pickup hour, when tensions between Dib and another father, Michael Zakarneh, erupted into violence.

According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Dib was charged with several offences, including first- and second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and discharging a firearm within city limits. The jury returned its verdict this week, marking a significant turn in a case that has deeply affected both families and the community.

Reports indicate that prior disputes had occurred between the two fathers over driving behaviours during school drop-offs leading up to the incident. On that day, Zakarneh approached Dib’s vehicle in the school’s parking lot, sparking a brief but intense confrontation that escalated dramatically. Witnesses describe how Dib shot Zakarneh in the abdomen and pursued him while continuing to fire multiple rounds.

In a shocking twist, after fleeing the scene, Dib made his way to a nearby gas station where concerned bystanders swiftly called emergency services. Meanwhile, he himself called 911 to report the incident and was subsequently arrested at the scene. In his call to the emergency services, Dib claimed, “I’m a peaceful person but this guy keeps harassing me,” suggesting a narrative of self-defence that his legal team sought to project throughout the trial.

Defence attorneys argued that Zakarneh had been the aggressor in prior encounters, alleging he had engaged in threatening behaviour toward Dib in the weeks leading up to the shooting. Kristen Winnemiller, one of Dib’s attorneys, characterised the altercation as a culmination of ongoing harassment, asserting that Dib had fired “a single self-defense shot.” These claims were firmly rejected by prosecutors, who presented a compelling case based on the evidence available.

The emotional impact of the shooting on Zakarneh’s family has been palpable. Amineh Zakarneh, the victim’s daughter, described her father as an integral part of their family and lamented the fear and anxiety that the incident has instilled in their lives. “For that to be almost taken away from me and my siblings is absolutely gut-wrenching,” she expressed to local news channels.

She recounted how her father had attempted to address the escalating tensions by reaching out to Dib, hoping for a resolution rather than confrontation. Tragically, that attempt at dialogue quickly devolved into violence. “He said he just wanted to talk, and then all of a sudden the man pulled out the gun and shot him,” she recounted, illustrating the unpredictability of the situation.

In her statements, Amineh also articulated the broader impact on their community. “The mosque is supposed to be a safe haven,” she stated, emphasising the disconnect between the ideals of their faith and the reality of such violence. Her words reflect a community grappling with the aftermath of a deeply distressing event.

The case was prosecuted by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorneys Eric Palmer and Stephany Mgbadigha, who worked diligently to present the facts and ensure accountability for the violent act that transpired. Following the jury’s verdict, Dib is set to face sentencing on May 7, under the watchful eye of Judge Andrew Lavin.

As the community processes this incident, the hope remains that greater understanding can prevail in the wake of such alarming tensions, reinforcing the core values of peace and safety that are fundamental to the community.