USF Murders: New details in domestic abuse incident that led deputies to suspect

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Recently filed court documents revealed more information about the domestic violence incident that led the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to murder suspect Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, last Friday.

After the discovery of human remains on the Howard Frankland Bridge last week, Abugharbieh was charged with two counts of first-degree murder related to the disappearances of USF doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27.

However, it was a separate investigation that led police to a home in the Lake Forest subdivision in Tampa on Friday morning. HCSO said deputies responded to the home on Pine Glen Circle just after 9 a.m. for a domestic violence incident.

Abugharbieh barricaded himself in the home upon police arrival, launching an hours-long standoff that ended with him being arrested wearing only a bath towel. In addition to numerous charges related to the USF students, Abugharbieh was charged with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery.

Documents filed in court on Monday revealed more details about the domestic violence call that brought police to his door.

According to the affidavit, the female victim entered the home’s master bedroom to retrieve hair products from the en-suite bathroom and left the bedroom door open behind her. As she moved through the room, she saw Abugharbieh playing video games while wearing only a towel around his waist.

The woman was identified as a younger, immediate family member of Abugharbieh.

When the victim tried to leave the room, he confronted her, asking for a hug. The affidavit said she was giving him a “side-hug” when he grabbed her and pulled her against him in a front-hug. Abugharbieh was attempting to kiss her and telling her “to kiss him” before she was able to push away from him.

She tried to leave the master bedroom, only to find the door had been closed and locked. After escaping the room, she locked herself in her bedroom and called her dad for help. At some point in the next 30 minutes, police were called and HCSO arrived at the home.

Abugharbieh surrendered to deputies after SWAT officers arrived on scene.