A 43-year-old father has been convicted of attempted murder for shooting another parent in a school parking lot, just minutes before students were scheduled to exit the building for afternoon pickup.
Noureddine Dib was found guilty by a Multnomah County jury following 12 hours of deliberation on Tuesday. The conviction stems from an incident in 2024 at the Islamic School of Portland, where Dib shot 49-year-old Michael Zakarneh following a series of confrontations over parking lot etiquette.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred after multiple encounters between the two fathers in the school’s pickup and drop-off area. The conflict began several weeks before the shooting when Dib complained about Zakarneh’s driving habits in the congested parking area.
Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer described the location as a small parking lot accessed by a narrow residential street, creating conditions prone to tension when filled with numerous vehicles during school hours. These circumstances contributed to several uncomfortable interactions between the two men.
On the day of the shooting, surveillance footage captured Zakarneh attempting to defuse tensions through conversation. Court documents reveal that Dib threatened Zakarneh, stating he would have to show him something if he didn’t leave him alone. When Zakarneh responded that they were just talking, Dib produced a firearm and shot him.
The surveillance video contradicted Dib’s self-defense claim, showing him firing at Zakarneh while the victim was running away. During a 911 call played in court, Dib described himself as a peaceful person who had been repeatedly harassed, though prosecutors noted he never expressed fear for his life during the call.
Both men attended the same Portland mosque but had only met approximately one month before the shooting incident. Their interactions in the school parking lot had been limited to three previous encounters before the day of the shooting.
Dib’s defense attorneys argued their client had been subjected to mocking language and aggressive behavior from Zakarneh. However, prosecutor Stephany Mgbadigha emphasized during opening statements that Dib had brought a loaded weapon to his children’s school.
The victim’s family described Zakarneh through a crowdfunding campaign as a kind and social person who enjoyed making others laugh. Palmer expressed continued concern for Zakarneh and his family, acknowledging the anxiety and fear they have endured since the incident.
The narrow residential street and small parking area at the Islamic School of Portland created challenging conditions for the numerous parents arriving for student pickup. These physical constraints, combined with the volume of vehicles during peak times, established an environment where minor disagreements could escalate.
The jury’s guilty verdict on all counts concluded a trial that examined the escalation of a parking dispute into violence. The prosecution successfully demonstrated that despite claims of self-defense, the evidence showed Dib as the aggressor who brought a deadly weapon to a school environment.
Sentencing for Noureddine Dib is scheduled for May 7. The conviction serves as a stark reminder of how everyday conflicts can spiral into serious criminal acts when firearms are introduced into civilian disputes.
The case has drawn attention to safety concerns at school pickup locations and the importance of de-escalation in minor conflicts between parents.
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