Police in Virginia said that a rape suspect released from jail during the CCP virus pandemic went on to allegedly kill the woman who accused him of the crime.
Ibrahim E. Bouaichi, 33, was tracked down by officials on Wednesday. However, he shot himself and was in critical condition on Thursday.
Alexandria authorities said that “police officers attached to the FBI’s regional Violent Crimes Task Force observed Bouaichi in Maryland and initiated a vehicle pursuit that ended shortly thereafter when Bouaichi’s vehicle crashed in Prince George’s County,” according to a news release.
“Officers approaching the vehicle found Bouaichi with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment,” it said.
Bouaichi, officials previously said, was indicted in 2019 on charges that included rape, strangulation, and abduction, reported WUSA9.
He was jailed without bond following the incident.
The woman who testified against him was identified by the Washington Post as Karla Dominguez.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Circuit Court Judge Nolan Dawkins released Bouaichi on the condition that he only leave his house in Maryland to meet with lawyers and other officials, reported WUSA9. Dawkins retired in June and hasn’t responded to media inquiries.
In a statement to news outlets, Bouaichi’s lawyers stated they were “certainly saddened by the tragedy both families have suffered.”
“Unfortunately, the pandemic continued the trial date by several months, and we didn’t get the chance to put forth our case,” they said.
A GoFundMe page set up to help with Dominguez’s funeral costs reached more than $5,000 as of Friday.
