Abdiqadir Abdiqadir was a beloved son, brother, and friend whose loss is deeply felt by all who knew him. Remembered as a dear brother by his community, the 20-year-old Black man from Kent, Washington, was a cherished part of his family and circle of friends. In the wake of his sudden death, loved ones organized a fundraiser to support his family with funeral and burial costs, reflecting the deep impact he had on those around him.
The morning of September 28, 2026, turned tragic for
Abdiqadir and his friend, 20-year-old Ali Abdi Dahir of Des Moines. At approximately 10:43 a.m., the two young men were inside a vehicle on South 272nd Street, stopped in traffic under the Interstate 5 overpass in Kent. According to witnesses, a dark-colored sedan pulled up alongside their car, and an individual inside opened fire. Multiple gunshots were fired into the vehicle before the sedan sped away, last seen heading southbound on I-5. The brazen daylight shooting occurred in a busy area near a light rail station, shocking many in the community.
Multiple 911 calls flooded into dispatch, reporting the shooting and the fleeing suspect vehicle. Kent and Des Moines police officers arrived at the scene to find both Abdiqadir and Ali gravely wounded inside their car. Officers pulled them from the vehicle to render medical aid. Crews from Puget Sound Fire and King County Medic One joined the life-saving efforts, but the injuries were too severe. Both Abdiqadir Abdiqadir and Ali Abdi Dahir were pronounced dead at the scene. The King County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that both men died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled their deaths as homicides.
The Kent Police Department is leading the investigation into the double homicide. Detectives described the drive-by shooting as a targeted attack, though they have not publicly commented on a possible motive or why they believe the two men were singled out. Investigators have been processing evidence from the scene and reviewing available surveillance video from the area in an effort to identify the suspects and the dark-colored sedan they used to flee.
In the days following the shooting, a GoFundMe page was created to honor Abdiqadir's memory and relieve his family of financial burdens. The organizer wrote, "With heavy hearts, we share that our dear brother Abdiqadir has passed away. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to so many of us, and his loss is felt deeply by everyone who knew him." The fundraiser asked for prayers for Abdiqadir and for strength for his grieving family.
As of October 2026, no arrests have been made in the murders of Abdiqadir Abdiqadir and Ali Abdi Dahir, and the case remains under active investigation. Kent Police have not released any further details about the suspect vehicle or the person or persons of interest. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808 or via email at [email protected]. For urgent information, the public is advised to call 911.
