On Friday in Zahle, Lebanon, a disturbing incident unfolded when a man shot a woman dead after she rejected his love proposal. According to media reports, the perpetrator was identified as Shibl Abu Najem, who fatally shot Maria Hatti in the head in the parking lot of a restaurant.
Tragically, Maria Hatti lost her life on the spot due to the gunshot wound. Following the heinous act, the assailant, Abu Najem, turned the gun on himself. He was quickly transported to a hospital, but his injuries proved fatal.
A friend of the victim, named Mona, shared with Al-Hurra that Hatti had declined Abu Najem’s advances due to his marital status. “She rejected him because he was married and had a daughter,” Mona said, expressing deep grief over the loss of her friend, whom she described as a “successful woman who was full of life.”
Another friend named Elie disclosed that Abu Najem had been threatening Hatti and stalking her for the past ten days leading up to the tragic incident.
According to a security source cited by L’Orient Today, Hatti was formerly romantically involved with Abu Najem, adding complexity to the situation. The source stated that Abu Najem became enraged when he saw Hatti with another man at the restaurant, prompting him to commit the horrifying act.
However, there are conflicting reports regarding whom Hatti was with at the restaurant. Some local media outlets indicated that she was in the company of her parents when Abu Najem took her life.
Additionally, a cousin of the victim, who preferred to remain anonymous while speaking to L’Orient Today, revealed that Abu Najem had previously made threats against Hatti. The cousin disclosed that Hatti had met Abu Najem three months ago but was unaware of his marital status. Once she learned about it, she promptly ended the relationship. Nevertheless, Abu Najem continued to pursue her and made threats with a gun just three days before the tragic incident.
The cousin further revealed that Hatti had filed a complaint with the police on Wednesday, leading to Abu Najem’s questioning on Thursday. Unfortunately, these actions couldn’t prevent the devastating outcome.
As the details continue to emerge, it becomes evident that this was a tragic incident fueled by rejection and obsession. Hatti’s life was tragically cut short, leaving her loved ones in grief and shock. The authorities are investigating the matter further to understand the full extent of the events that led to this heart-wrenching loss.