Ali Abdi Dahir was a beloved young man whose passing at the age of 20 left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends. A member of the Muslim community, his loved ones remember him through faith, praying that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus, the highest level of paradise. In the wake of his sudden death, his family found themselves not only grieving but also facing the unexpected financial burdens of a funeral and burial.
A fundraiser was organized to support them, with a message reflecting their deep sorrow: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Ali Dahir. His loss has deeply affected his family, loved ones, and everyone who knew him.”
The morning of Monday, September 28, 2026, turned tragic in Kent, Washington. At approximately 10:43 a.m., Ali was in a vehicle with his friend, 20-year-old Abdiqadir Abdiqadir, on South 272nd Street. As they were stopped in traffic under the Interstate 5 overpass, near a busy light rail station and an elementary school, another car pulled up alongside them. Witnesses reported hearing a volley of gunshots as someone from a dark-colored sedan fired multiple rounds into the vehicle Ali and Abdiqadir occupied. The assailant's car was last seen fleeing the scene, heading southbound onto I-5.
Multiple 911 calls flooded dispatch centers, reporting the shooting and two potential victims. Officers from the Kent and Des Moines police departments were the first to arrive. They found Ali and Abdiqadir inside the car, both suffering from critical injuries. The officers pulled the two men from the vehicle to render immediate medical aid. Crews from Puget Sound Fire and King County Medic One joined the life-saving efforts, but the injuries were too severe. Both Ali Abdi Dahir and Abdiqadir Abdiqadir were pronounced dead at the scene.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the identities of the two young men. The cause of death for both was ruled a homicide resulting from multiple gunshot wounds. One of the victims was from Kent, and the other from the neighboring city of Des Moines. The Kent Police Department took lead on the homicide investigation, with detectives beginning the work of processing evidence and canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage.
Investigators quickly described the shooting as a targeted attack, not a random act of violence, though they did not release a motive or explain why the two men may have been targeted. Kent Police Assistant Chief Jared Kasner confirmed the victims' ages but provided few other details in the immediate aftermath. Detectives focused on reviewing video evidence from the area to identify the suspects and the dark-colored sedan used in the drive-by shooting.
In the days following the murders, a GoFundMe page was created by a family member to help cover funeral and burial expenses for Ali. The page was filled with expressions of faith and sorrow, asking for prayers and support for the grieving family. The community responded with an outpouring of generosity, reflecting the love they held for Ali.
As of October 2026, the investigation into the deaths of Ali Dahir and Abdiqadir Abdiqadir remains active and ongoing. No arrests have been made, and police have not released any further description of the suspects or the vehicle involved. The Kent Police Department continues to ask for the public’s help. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808 or email [email protected]. For urgent tips, authorities advise calling 911.
