‘He would not take no’: Horrific final moments revealed in video of parents who coldly planned daughter’s ‘honor killing’

The trial has started for a Washington couple accused of violently attacking their 17-year-old daughter.

This was an act that some witnesses think this was an attempted “honor killing.” Ihsan Ali, 44, and Zahraa Ali, 40, are charged with multiple crimes, including second-degree attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, and domestic violence assault, after the alleged attack in October 2024.

Warning: This article describes parental violence and the video shows that same violence.

We only had details before, but we can finally see a video obtained by The Daily Mail that shows part of the violent incident at a public bus stop near Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington. The victim had reportedly run away from home earlier that day, seeking safety at her former school because she believed adults there could help her avoid an arranged marriage in Iraq with an older man.

According to Fox, court records say the daughter told police her father was “trying to force her to go to another country.” The father had also allegedly threatened her with “honor killing” for refusing the arranged marriage.

Video shows teen’s parent attacking her for trying to find safety

The attack happened while the 17-year-old was waiting for a bus to take her to a “Safe Haven.” Her father supposedly approached her, demanding she come home. When she said no, he allegedly turned violent. The victim said her father put her in a chokehold, making her pass out several times. “He would not take no for an answer and began pulling at her shirt. She said that once she was placed into a choke hold, she was unable to breathe or speak, and then passed out,” the court document states.

The disturbing video and witness statements describe the victim’s 16-year-old boyfriend trying to help, only to be punched by Ihsan Ali. Witnesses said they saw the victim’s eyes roll back as her father choked her, and one bystander said he had to pull the father off his daughter and hold him until police arrived. The victim remembered thinking she was “going to die” during the attack and said her mother and sister also tried to grab her.

Victor Barnes, the boyfriend’s father, said he was grateful his son helped save the girl’s life but wondered why school staff didn’t walk her to the bus stop, since they knew she was in danger. He also said he had gotten a restraining order against the Alis because they kept coming to his family’s home looking for the victim before the attack.

The trial for Ihsan and Zahraa Ali started on Monday, July 14, 2025, and is expected to last until August 7. A judge has ruled that the term “arranged marriage” cannot be brought up during the trial.