In December San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that a 46-year-old Abdulhannan Alrawi, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for shooting and killing his wife, Fathem Alrawi, 37, in their El Cajon home last year.
Alrawi pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Sept. 14, 2023, and admitted to a firearm allegation in commission of the crime.
“This domestic violence murder left nine children orphaned,” Stephan said in a press release. “Nothing will relieve the pain of this kind of trauma, but the guilty plea and prison sentence is a measure of justice for the grieving family.”
On Aug. 22, 2022, Alrawi shot his wife in the face as she lay in bed. The sound of the gunshot woke the couple’s nine children who were asleep in the home.
Alrawi’s teenage daughter called 911 but the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The family had moved into the home less than two weeks prior.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the fatal shot was fired with the barrel pressed against the victim’s cheek when the victim was laying still. The firearm, owned by Alrawi was a 9mm Glock handgun.
