What started as a June date in Phoenix allegedly turned into several days of terror for one family. Police say a 22-year-old man tailed a woman home, shined a light and aimed a gun through her bedroom window while sending chilling voice messages threatening to kill her and her relatives.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, court and police records state the trouble began after a June 11 outing that ended when the woman told him she was not interested in seeing him again. Investigators allege the suspect, identified in court as Zakariya Al Omar, then messaged several of her Instagram followers, showed up uninvited to a party she attended and parked at her apartment complex, where officers eventually stopped his SUV on June 15.
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge set bond at $150,000 and ordered electronic monitoring, a curfew and strict bans on contacting the woman or possessing weapons if he secures release. The judge described the rapid “level of obsession” over four days as “extremely frightening,” and Al Omar is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 25, per FOX 10 Phoenix.
Alleged Surveillance And Threats
Court documents and witness statements describe a steady escalation. On June 13, the victim’s 15-year-old sister saw a flashlight beam sweep across the bedroom window and spotted a man in a white hoodie inside the fenced yard. Police say the suspect sent messages boasting that he had located the victim’s window, then followed up with photos of two handguns with extended magazines and audio clips saying he was not afraid to kill her.
Drugs, Charges And Next Steps
When officers searched the suspect’s SUV, they reportedly found a white powder in the center console. Al Omar allegedly told police it was “powder from Starbucks,” but a field test came back positive for cocaine. He was booked on stalking, aggravated assault and narcotics charges and remains subject to the court-ordered bond conditions as the case moves toward the June 25 hearing.
Legal Context
Under Arizona law, stalking that causes a reasonable fear of death or serious physical injury is a felony offense under A.R.S. § 13-2923. Aggravated assault, which can include threats involving a weapon, carries enhanced penalties under A.R.S. § 13-1204. These statutes give prosecutors a range of charging options depending on the evidence, and judges revisit public safety and release conditions at each hearing.
Victim Resources
Maricopa County courts and local victim services offer help to people facing stalking, harassment or threats. The county’s Law Library Resource Center and the AZPOINT portal provide information and forms to prepare and file petitions for protective orders, and the Maricopa County Superior Court’s protective-orders page outlines eligibility and next steps…