WASHINGTON — A Hyattsville, Maryland, man has been charged with attempted murder after police said he threw sulfuric acid on his roommate, causing serious burns.
Court documents say that Bekre Abdela, 28, has been charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Police said they were called to a house on the East-West Highway just east of New Hampshire Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday and found a woman suffering from what looked to be chemical burns. She was diagnosed with first-degree burns on her face and second- and third-degree burns on her upper body.
She told the police that “my roommate threw acid on my face” and referred to her attacker as “Bekre,” the documents said. She was then taken to a hospital and placed in a medically induced coma; she remains in critical condition.
Abdela wasn’t at the house when police responded, but investigators found a bottle of 93 percent sulfuric acid in his bedroom, as well as several boxes of handgun ammunition, the documents said.
Detectives said they found a trail of blood and acid throughout the house, connecting Abdela’s bedroom to the victim’s.
Abdela’s Facebook page says he has a background in chemical engineering. The solution, which is used to dissolve metals such as silver and iron, is available online.
Abdela is being held without bond. Police said he has “admitted his involvement in the attack.”
WTOP’s Teta Alim contributed to this report.
