WASHINGTON - A 53-year-old Ethiopian national, Adane Kebede, has pled guilty to murdering a fellow Ethiopian in December 2006 during a brazen, broad daylight shooting in Northwest Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor announced today.

Kebede, of Oakland, California, entered his guilty plea earlier today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to Second Degree Murder while Armed and Possession of a Firearm Furing a Crime of Violence or Dangerous Offense in connection with the fatal shooting of 51-year-old Abiy Bezabih on December 18, 2006. The shooting occurred near the intersection of 12th and U Streets, NW, in front of a 7-11, at about 3:30 p.m. Sentencing is scheduled before the Honorable Frederick Weisberg for May 1, 2009. The defendant faces up to 55 years in prison and risks deportation at the conclusion of his sentence.

At today's guilty plea hearing, the defendant was placed under oath and admitted that on December 18, 2006, he shot and killed Abiy Bezabih. He further admitted that he and Mr. Bezabih were born in the same town in Ethiopia, and knew each other growing up. Kebede emigrated to the United States in the early 1970s and eventually settled in Oakland, California, where he worked as a security guard. At one point, Mr. Bezabih asked Kebede to sponsor him for citizenship in the United States, but Kebede refused. Mr. Bezabih eventually emigrated to the United States much later and settled in the Washington, D.C. area.

In the Fall of 2006, a childhood friend of both Kebede and Mr. Bezabih came to the United States from Ethiopia for a vacation. The friend grew up in the same Ethiopian town as Kebede and Mr. Bezabih and, even though the friend was somewhat older than Kebede and Mr. Bezabih, he knew both men. During that visit, Kebede learned that Mr. Bezabih was living in Washington, D.C., and stated that he would like to visit him.

The friend came to Washington, D.C. in early December and Kebede made plans to travel to Washington as well. His plans were to visit with the friend and Mr. Bezabih. Kebede arrived in Washington, D.C. on December 15, 2006, and later checked into a hotel in Germantown, MD, the same day. Among the items that Kebede brought with him were a Highpoint 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition for the pistol.

On the morning of December 18, 2006, Kebede arranged to meet with Mr. Bezabih and the mutual childhood friend from Ethiopia at Dukem restaurant, which is located at the intersection of 12th and U Streets, NW. The friend and Kebede arrived about 2:00 p.m. and had some food. Mr. Bezabih arrived about 3:30 p.m. He parked across U Street from the restaurant, in front of the 7-11. The friend and Kebede exited the restaurant and crossed the street to greet Mr. Bezabih.

The friend went first and reached Mr. Bezabih at the curb in front of the 7-11. The friend greeted Mr. Bezabih, then Kebede followed. Kebede approached Mr. Bezabih and pointed a handgun towards him. Kebede fired one shot into Mr. Bezabih, striking him in the neck, and Mr. Bezabih slowly collapsed onto the ground. Kebede then fled the scene. He made his way to Whitelaw's store at the intersection of 13th and T Streets, NW. Kebede went inside and inquired how he could hail a cab into Maryland. When he exited the store, a police officer detained him. The police found in Kebede's pocket the same Highpoint pistol that he had used to shoot Mr. Bezabih, and $3,900 in U.S. currency.

Abiy Bezabih died from the gunshot wound inflicted by Adane Kebede. The medical examiner conducted an autopsy and concluded that the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the body. The manner of death was homicide.

In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Detectives Stanley Farmer, Michael Fulton and Brett Smith, who conducted a wide-ranging investigation in which authorities pursued leads in Washington, D.C., Oakland and Ethiopia. Their detailed investigation and quick efforts locating witnesses were essential to solving what initially appeared to be a random shooting. U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Paralegals Debra Joyner and Marian Russell, who provided critical support efforts. Finally, U.S. Attorney Taylor praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Snyder, who led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Pearlman, who provided critical assistance in the completion of the investigation.