Abdullah Aljohani / Photo from Chicago Police
BY REEMA AMIN
Sun-Times Media
Abdullah Aljohani was ordered held without bond Thursday after prosecutors claim he stabbed a relative to death early Sunday in their Albany Park home.
Aljohani, 27, was charged with first-degree murder in the early Sunday stabbing death of relative Talal Aljohani, authorities said.
Assistant State's Attorney Akash Vyas said a neighbor heard the men, who are "often referred to as brothers," fighting in their home in the 5000 block of North Harding Avenue about 4 a.m. Sunday.
The neighbor went to check on the brothers, but Abdullah Aljohani said everything was fine and shut the door before the neighbor could speak, Vyas said.
When the neighbor came back later, and Abdullah Aljohani said Talal Aljohani was using the bathroom even though the neighbor could see the bathroom was empty, Vyas said.
When the neighbor demanded to see 19-year-old Abdullah Aljohani, Abdullah Aljohani shut the door, Vyas said.
The neighbor then called 911, but when police arrived Abdullah Aljohani only opened the door slightly, said everything was fine and shut the door, Vyas said.
The officers tried knocking again for several minutes but no one responded, prosecutors said.
Officers then went to the back of the building and found the garage door, back gate and back door “wide open,” Vyas said.
The officers went inside and found Talal Aljohani stabbed to death on a mattress, Vyas said. Police recovered a knife next to his body.
By the time police found the body, Abdullah Aljohani had fled to a friend’s home, where he asked for money and clothing, Vyas said.
Abdullah Aljohani told the friend that “he was in trouble” and was running from the police, according to Vyas, who said noted Abdullah Aljohani left his passport at home.
Police issued a warrant for Abdullah Aljohani’s arrest and officers found him walking iwth his fiance's brother in the 4000 block of West Lawrence Avenue on Tuesday, Vyas said.
When spotted by police, Abdullah Aljohani attempted to run away but was arrested a short time later, according to Vyas, who said Abdullah Aljohani was wearing bloody clothing when arrested.
Vyas claimed Abdullah Aljohani admitted to his fiance’s brother that he cut Talal Aljohani with a knife.
Officers later found Talal Aljohani’s phone, wallet and an ID in the fiance’s brother’s bedroom, Vyas said.
A public defender said Abdullah Aljohani moved to the United States in 2013 from Saudi Arabia and has no intention to returning. He is enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University, where he is taking English classes.
Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Abdullah Aljohani held without bond and issued a next court date of April 7.
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