Police: Parking dispute leads driver to threaten another with hatchet

WASHINGTON — When tempers flared, a hatchet was pulled during an argument over a parking space in Annandale earlier this week.

It started at 7:27 a.m. on Oct. 19 when two drivers set their sights on one parking spot at an apartment complex on Sutter Lane in Annandale. One driver told police he was in the process of making his way into a spot when another driver slipped into the space.

“There was a discussion that took place and neither person was happy,” said Lucy Caldwell with Fairfax County Police.

At some point in the argument, Kamadin Atabaki, 20, of Annandale was accused of retrieving a hatchet from his apartment and threatening the other driver.

Police were called to the scene. No one was hurt.

Officers found the hatchet and arrested Atabaki, charging him with attempted malicious wounding.

Caldwell said this case is a reminder that during any situation that may crop up on the road, it is important to let cool heads prevail.

“You don’t know what another person’s thought process is, and you just have to be cautious and keep tempers in check,” Caldwell said.

Mike Murillo

Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.

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