Overview
- D.C. police arrested 36-year-old Rico Rashaad Barnes and charged him with first-degree murder while armed in the death of Syed Hammad Hussain.
- Fire crews responding on Feb. 11 to a unit on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW found Hussain, 40, bound and unresponsive, and the medical examiner later ruled he was killed by blunt force trauma and ligature strangulation.
- Investigators say the apartment fire was set after Hussain died, and court records describe his wrists and ankles tied with neckties and blood found at the scene.
- Building video shows two men follow Hussain into the lobby, assault him, and force him toward his apartment, according to police.
- Detectives say a second suspect is already in custody on unrelated charges, items were taken from the apartment including a bicycle and coats, and they do not believe Hussain knew the suspects.