A Multnomah County jury convicted Noureddine Dib of attempted murder for shooting another father during pickup at the Islamic School of Portland. The incident followed tense encounters in the school parking lot. Dib faces sentencing on May 7.
Noureddine Dib, 43, shot Michael Zakarneh, 49, in the parking lot of the Islamic School of Portland in 2024, just before students were due to be picked up. Prosecutors described the shooting as stemming from prior rude encounters, including one where Dib complained about Zakarneh's driving. Surveillance footage captured Dib threatening Zakarneh, saying, “If you don’t get the f— out of my face, I'll have to show you something,” before firing as Zakarneh ran away. Zakarneh responded, “Look, we are just talking.” Dib claimed self-defense, telling 911 dispatchers, “I'm a peaceful person but this guy keeps harassing me.” His attorneys argued Zakarneh used mocking language and aggressive behavior during three prior parking lot interactions. The two men attended the same Portland mosque but only met about a month earlier. Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer noted the narrow residential street and crowded lot created tense conditions, praising Zakarneh's attempts to de-escalate. Prosecutor Stephany Mgbadigha stated during opening arguments, “Noureddine Dib took a loaded firearm to his children's school.” Palmer expressed relief for Zakarneh and his family after the jury's verdict following 12 hours of deliberation. A GoFundMe for Zakarneh describes him as a kind, social person who loves making people laugh.
