A 15-year-old girl escaped a brutal kidnapping and stabbing after allegedly being attacked by an undocumented immigrant in a Baltimore basement. The incident, which occurred on October 22, has drawn sharp criticism from federal immigration officials regarding the suspect's prior release into the U.S.
Surveillance footage shows the teenager fleeing a property on Garrison Boulevard approximately 43 minutes after arriving with the alleged attacker, identified as 23-year-old Abubakarr Barrie. According to charging documents, Barrie picked up the girl under the pretense of going to a restaurant but allegedly drove in the opposite direction. When she questioned him, he reportedly restrained her and forced her into the basement of a home.
Inside the basement, a struggle ensued, during which Barrie allegedly stabbed the girl multiple times. The teenager fought back, scratching her attacker and using a fire extinguisher to ward him off before escaping the property barefoot and unclothed. Police found her injured shortly after, with wounds to her chest, ear, shoulder, back, and ribs, including a collapsed lung.
Federal immigration officials stated that Barrie, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, entered the U.S. through Arizona in December 2023. He was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol but subsequently released into the country by the Biden administration. DHS further reported that Barrie was arrested by the New York Police Department in July 2026 on a charge of possession of a forged instrument, and ICE lodged a detainer request. However, DHS claims New York officials refused to honor the request, leading to his release.
"This illegal alien is charged with attempted murder and kidnapping after he allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old girl," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "This tragedy would never have happened were it not for the multiple failures of sanctuary policies."
The homeowner of the property, who was out of the country during the incident, provided surveillance footage to authorities. He stated that Barrie, who had been renting a room in the basement, had contacted him earlier that day asking to access security cameras, claiming his wallet had been stolen. The homeowner expressed shock at the alleged events.
Following his arrest in Baltimore, ICE lodged another detainer on October 24. Barrie faces nine charges, including attempted first-degree murder and kidnapping, and is being held without bail. His defense has stated he has no prior criminal history, though online records indicate a previous arrest in Baltimore County on a prostitution charge that was marked 'stet,' meaning proceedings were paused. The investigation is ongoing.