A tense school pickup turned into a terrifying shooting—and now a jury has delivered its verdict.
Authorities say 43-year-old Noureddine Dib has been found guilty of second-degree attempted murder and multiple other charges in connection with the 2024 incident outside the Islamic School of Portland.
The shooting happened on October 17, 2024, during afternoon pickup in southwest Portland. According to prosecutors, the victim approached Dib’s vehicle in a parking lot behind the school, and the two men briefly interacted before things suddenly escalated.
Investigators say Dib shot the man in the abdomen, then chased him across school property while continuing to fire multiple rounds.
The victim, later identified as Michael Zakarneh, managed to escape and run to a nearby gas station, where bystanders called 911. He survived the attack.
Authorities say the confrontation wasn’t random. Reports indicate the two men had clashed before over driving issues during school drop-off, with tensions building in the weeks leading up to the shooting.
After the gunfire, Dib reportedly went inside the school and called 911 himself before being taken into custody.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Zakarneh had been the aggressor in previous encounters and claimed Dib believed he was acting in self-defense. Prosecutors pushed back, saying the evidence did not support that claim.
Zakarneh’s daughter later spoke out about the emotional impact, describing her father as a devoted parent and calling the incident devastating for their family.
She also said the violence shook the community, especially because it happened at a place many families consider a safe space.
In addition to attempted murder, Dib was convicted of multiple charges including assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and recklessly endangering others.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7 as the case comes to a close—but the fallout from that day continues to linger.