An Oregon father has been convicted of attempted murder for shooting another father in a school pickup area in Portland after a series of escalating confrontations. The case, which shocked the local community, involved an altercation that turned violent just minutes before the two men’s children were due to be released from school.
Noureddine Dib Convicted of Attempted Murder
Noureddine Dib, 43, was found guilty by a Multnomah County jury on Tuesday after 12 hours of deliberation. He was convicted of attempted murder for shooting 49-year-old Michael Zakarneh outside the Islamic School of Portland in 2024. The incident occurred in a parking lot near the school, just moments before the children were scheduled to leave.
The Incident
The shooting stemmed from a series of “rude” and “disrespectful” encounters between the two fathers, prosecutors said. According to the arrest affidavit, Dib threatened Zakarneh with violence before pulling out a gun.
- The Threat: “If you don’t get the f— out of my face, I’ll have to show you something,” Dib told Zakarneh.
- The Shooting: Dib then shot Zakarneh in the parking lot, hitting him while Zakarneh was reportedly running away.
The incident occurred in a narrow parking lot, where tensions between drivers had previously been rising, especially during school pickup times. Zakarneh, who had tried to calm things down before the shooting, can be seen on surveillance footage attempting to defuse the situation.
Dib’s Claim of Self-Defense
During the trial, Dib claimed he shot Zakarneh in self-defense, asserting that he was provoked. However, prosecutors pointed out that the surveillance footage contradicted this claim, as it showed Zakarneh fleeing when Dib fired.
Dib’s attorneys argued that Zakarneh had been mocking him and displaying aggressive behavior, but the court found no evidence that Dib was in fear for his life when the shooting occurred.
Previous Tensions
Prosecutors explained that the shooting resulted from ongoing tensions between the two men, who had interacted on several occasions at the school’s parking lot.
One such incident occurred weeks before the shooting when Dib had complained about Zakarneh’s driving. Despite their differences, the two men attended the same mosque, but they didn’t know each other well before the altercation.
Impact on the Victim and His Family
Zakarneh’s family has described him as a “kind person” who was loved by those around him. A GoFundMe set up by his family highlights his social nature and his love for making people laugh. The shooting left Zakarneh with significant physical and emotional trauma.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer spoke to the media about the case, expressing sympathy for Zakarneh’s family and gratitude for the jury’s verdict. He emphasized the lasting impact that such violence can have on families, especially when it occurs in a setting meant to be safe for children.
“My heart and mind is still with the victim of this shooting,” Palmer said. “The anxiety and fear that they’ve lived with ever since… I continue to think about them.”
Sentencing
Dib is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2026. He faces significant prison time for his actions, which prosecutors argue were reckless and unjustified.
