Jurors return quick verdict in fatal Dollar Tree parking lot stabbing

A 28-year-old father was found innocent of killing his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in a fight outside a Kennewick Dollar Tree.

Abdullah Hussein of Kennewick and attorney Joseph Faurholt hugged in Benton County Superior Court late Wednesday afternoon as the verdicts were read. The trial lasted just a few days.

Hussein was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree assault for stabbing Ali Al Juboori four times during the Feb. 2 confrontation.

He claimed that Al Juboori started the fight and that he was defending himself, his girlfriend and their daughter.

While the jury found Hussein innocent, they haven’t decided whether he acted in self-defense. They will return Thursday to hear additional testimony.

If they rule that he was defending himself, the state may need to pay his legal fees and for the loss of his time and other expenses spent to defend himself.

Hussein was released from jail right away as a result of the verdict.

The two men, who both grew up in Kennewick, crossed paths outside the Dollar Tree about 9:15 p.m. the night of the stabbing.

Al Juboori had a history of stalking Hussein’s ex-girlfriend and had previously violated no-contact orders. But prosecutors argued that the problems between Al Juboori and his ex-girlfriend were in the past.

However, on Feb. 2 Al Juboori was pacing in front of their car when Hussein, his girlfriend and their 4-year-old were heading for their car after leaving the store.

It’s not clear how the fight started, but Faurholt said in opening statements that Hussein saw the other man reaching for something in his coat.

Hussein admitted pulling out his knife and stabbing him. As he walked away, Hussein put the weapon on his trunk and went back into the store. He cooperated with police when they arrived.

Al Juboori died at the scene.

This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 7:11 PM.