Father Tried to Choke Daughter in Honor Killing in Her American School

Ihsan Ali, 44, allegedly tried to strangle his daughter in an 'honor killing' outside her school and was charged with attempted murder

A man accused of attempting to kill his daughter in a violent public attack appeared more concerned about his car being impounded than the wellbeing of his family during his arrest, according to police reports. The incident occurred on October 18 outside Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington, following the 17-year-old girl's refusal of an arranged marriage to an older man in Iraq.

The girl fled her home and sought refuge at the school, where her father, Ihsan Ali, allegedly assaulted her. Witnesses reported that Ali, 44, pounced on the girl in a frenzied attack, choking and dragging her while she struggled. Her 16-year-old boyfriend and other students intervened, and a passerby, Josh Wagner, restrained Ali until police arrived. Bodycam footage captured Ali’s arrest, during which he repeatedly shouted in Arabic to his wife and daughter, instructing them to move his car to prevent authorities from seizing it as evidence.

Ishan's eldest daughter Haneen, 21, and wife Zahraa Subhi Mohsin Ali, 40, were also involved. Zahraa was also charged with attempted murder but Haneen is not charged with a crime

Ali and his wife, Zahraa Subhi Mohsin Ali, 40, have been charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, and assault. Police initially detained Ali at the scene and later arrested Zahraa after further investigation revealed she had also allegedly attempted to strangle her daughter. Zahraa was apprehended at the Canadian border on October 22, attempting to flee the country after prosecutors moved to charge her.

The daughter, who suffered multiple injuries, told police that her father had been abusive and had planned to send her to Iraq against her will. Her boyfriend sustained a fractured hand while defending her from the attack. Court documents detail that Ali had previously reported the girl as a runaway and was warned by authorities not to approach the school, a directive he ignored.

By the time police arrived, the girl's brave 16-year-old boyfriend and his classmates had fought off Ihsan, saving her life, and adult passerby Josh Wagner restrained him on the ground

Security footage and eyewitness statements corroborated the attack, and police later learned that Zahraa had also attempted to harm her daughter during the struggle. The girl was taken to a hospital for treatment, reporting severe pain and difficulty swallowing. She stated that she believed she lost consciousness multiple times during the assault.

Victor Barnes (pictured), the father of the girl's boyfriend, explained how the attack unfolded - and the events before it - as told to him by his son

Ali was initially charged with lesser offenses and released on a $150,000 bond on October 24. However, after further investigation, attempted murder charges were added, and he was rearrested on November 5, with bail increased to $1 million. Zahraa remains in custody on a $500,000 bond.

Heang transferred Ihsan to another officer's police car, and Ihsan again demanded to speak with his wife and yelled to her in Arabic

The case has drawn attention to issues of forced marriage and domestic abuse. The girl has been placed in protective custody while authorities continue their investigation into the family's actions leading up to the attack. Meanwhile, her boyfriend and his family have also been affected by the events, with reports of ongoing distress and fear for their safety.