DC police investigate Logan Circle condo killing after man found bound, burned, and beaten inside unit

Homicide case opened after early-morning smoke call

Washington police are investigating the killing of a 40-year-old man who was found dead inside a condominium near Logan Circle after a report of smoke in a hallway led firefighters to a first-floor unit.

Emergency crews responded shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, to the Zenith condominium building in the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW. Inside a first-floor residence, responders located a man who was unresponsive and later determined to have suffered fatal injuries. Investigators have classified the case as a homicide.

Victim identified; evidence indicates restraint and multiple forms of injury

Authorities identified the victim as Syed Hammad Hussain, 40, of Northwest Washington. Police documented that the victim had blunt-force trauma and burn injuries, and that he appeared to have been restrained. Court filings related to the investigation describe bindings at the wrists and ankles. Investigators also noted the presence of exercise weights near the body, though officials have not publicly stated whether any object recovered at the scene was used as a weapon.

The fire associated with the incident was described as small, but it generated enough smoke to be detected in the building’s hallway, prompting the 911 call that brought responders to the scene.

Investigators review surveillance and seek public assistance

Detectives are reviewing security video from the area and canvassing for additional footage and witnesses. Investigators have described video that appears to show the victim entering the building with three other individuals not long before the fire, and later shows three people running from the building. Police have not released descriptions of the individuals shown in the footage and have not announced any suspects.

No arrests had been announced as of February 15. Police have not disclosed a motive and have not said whether the killing is believed to be connected to a robbery, a targeted assault, or another cause.

What is known so far

• Location: The Zenith condominium building, 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW, near Logan Circle.
• Date and time of response: Early morning Wednesday, February 11, shortly after 3:30 a.m.
• Victim: Syed Hammad Hussain, 40.
• Case status: Investigated as a homicide; no arrests announced.

Investigators are urging anyone with information, including video from nearby buildings or street-facing cameras, to contact police. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction in a District homicide.

The investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to process evidence from the unit and reconstruct the victim’s movements and contacts in the hours before the 911 call.