Virginia

Prosecutors: Alexandria Security Company Owner Killed Lover Because She Wanted to Break Up

Prosecutors say a video recovered from the victim's phone reveals she asked for a break up the night she was killed

Prosecutors presented evidence Thursday that a married father of two in Alexandria, Virginia, who owns a security company shot and killed his girlfriend because she wanted to break up with him.

Daniel Kankam, 44, was charged with murder in the death of 35-year-old Somaya Hussein Ahmed.

Police say Kankam killed Ahmed at her home in the unit block of South Van Dorn Street in Alexandria just before midnight on Jan. 11.

In addition to their relationship, Ahmed worked for Kankam at his company K-1 Tactical Security Services on Edsall Road in Alexandria, prosecutors say.

Kankam appeared in court Thursday and his attorney asked the judge to set bond, saying that Kankam was very stressed in jail.

“If the Commonwealth is alleging you placed a gun in your paramour’s mouth and pulled the trigger, that would be stressful,” a prosecutor responded.

The prosecutor said Ahmed's cellphone was recording video the night she was shot as she told Kankam she wanted to end their relationship.

"You are pissing me off," Kankam allegedly told her in the recording.

He is allegedly seen grabbing the phone before the recording ends, prosecutors said.

Investigators believe soon after the recording Kankam put the gun in the victim's mouth and fired.

Kankam then allegedly tried to create an alibi by texting the victim’s cellphone “Where are you."

Prosecutors said Kankam had threatened to shoot Ahmed at least one other time. Another video on her phone taken in October 2018 shows the couple sitting outside her apartment. She can be heard telling him she wants to break things off.

The video allegedly shows Kankam pulling out his gun and pointing it at her. 

"Are you going to shoot me?" Ahmed asks.

The video allegedly shows Kankam put the gun back in the holster.

Kankam's wife wiped away tears as she listened to the details of the case on Thursday. She declined to comment as she left court.

The couple's home is blocks away from the murder scene.

Authorities found six guns, including an AR-15, during a search of Kankam's apartment and storage unit, prosecutors said.

Defense attorneys argued the guns shouldn't raise alarm because Kankam owned a security company.

The judge denied Kankam's request for bond.

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