A 23-year-old Sierra Leone national is facing charges after investigators said he stabbed a 15-year-old girl and attempted to kidnap her in Baltimore, Maryland. The alleged attack occurred on October 22, and police arrested him two days later. The Department of Homeland Security said the suspect had previously been released in New York despite an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer. Authorities are now examining his immigration and arrest history as the criminal case proceeds.
DHS identified the suspect as Abubakarr Barrie, who entered the United States through Arizona in December 2023. According to the agency, Border Patrol agents arrested him at the time, but he was later released under the Biden administration. The alleged Baltimore attack occurred roughly three years after that release, according to the report.
| 1) | Baltimore stabbing and alleged kidnapping |
| 2) | Arrest and ICE detainer |
| 3) | Earlier New York arrest and release |
| 4) | Immigration history and policy dispute |
| 5) | Investigation and next steps |
Baltimore stabbing and alleged kidnapping
The Baltimore Police Department says Barrie is accused of attacking a 15-year-old girl inside a home in the 3800 block of Belle Avenue in Baltimore. DHS said he picked up the girl and took her to a basement property he was renting. Investigators allege that he stabbed her repeatedly inside the basement before she escaped and ran away.
The incident took place on October 22. The allegations involve attempted murder, kidnapping and related violent offenses, although the available account does not specify the complete list of formal charges or the victim’s medical condition. Barrie is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Arrest and ICE detainer
Police arrested Barrie on October 24, two days after the reported attack. ICE lodged a detainer the same day, asking local authorities to notify federal immigration officials before releasing him. A detainer is a request connected to potential immigration custody and does not itself determine guilt in a criminal case.
DHS said the detainer followed Barrie’s arrest in Baltimore because federal authorities identified him as an immigration enforcement concern. The case is being investigated by Baltimore police, while federal officials have publicly focused on whether earlier local decisions affected his availability to immigration authorities.
Earlier New York arrest and release
Earlier in 2026, the New York City Police Department arrested Barrie on a charge of third-degree possession of a forged instrument. ICE also lodged a detainer during that case, according to DHS.
New York City officials released him in July, according to the account. The release occurred about three months before the alleged Baltimore attack. The report does not provide the disposition of the New York charge or explain the specific legal basis for the release, and city officials had not publicly responded in the material provided.
Immigration history and policy dispute
DHS said Barrie is from Sierra Leone and entered the United States through Arizona in December 2023. Border Patrol agents arrested him after his entry, but he was eventually released under the Biden administration. The agency described him as being unlawfully present in the country.
The case has become part of a broader dispute over immigration enforcement and so-called sanctuary policies. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin blamed both the prior federal border policy and New York’s handling of the earlier arrest.
“This tragedy would never have happened were it not for the multiple failures of sanctuary policies,” Mullin said in a statement.
His statement also urged Baltimore County authorities to honor the ICE detainer and prevent Barrie from harming anyone else. Those comments represent the department’s position, while the criminal allegations remain subject to court proceedings.
Investigation and next steps
Baltimore police are investigating the alleged stabbing and kidnapping at the residence. Barrie faces the criminal process in Maryland, where prosecutors will need to present evidence supporting the charges. The investigation may include witness accounts, the victim’s statement, physical evidence from the home and records concerning the alleged transportation to the basement.
Federal immigration officials are also expected to monitor the case through the detainer. The material provided does not state whether Barrie has been transferred to ICE custody, whether he has entered a plea or when his next court appearance is scheduled. The New York Police Department and New York City officials had been contacted for comment, but no response was included.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Barrie is accused of stabbing and attempting to kidnap a 15-year-old girl in Baltimore. |
| 2 | Police arrested him on October 24, and ICE lodged a detainer that day. |
| 3 | DHS said he had previously been arrested in New York and released in July. |
| 4 | His immigration status and prior release have prompted criticism from federal officials. |
Summary
The case combines allegations of serious violence, a prior New York arrest and an unresolved dispute over immigration enforcement. Barrie’s guilt has not been established, and the available information does not detail the final outcome of either the Maryland or New York proceedings. Baltimore investigators and prosecutors will determine the criminal case, while federal authorities will address any immigration consequences through the detainer process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abubakarr Barrie?
Abubakarr Barrie is a 23-year-old Sierra Leone national whom Baltimore police accuse of stabbing and attempting to kidnap a 15-year-old girl.
When did the alleged Baltimore attack occur?
The alleged attack occurred on October 22. Police arrested Barrie two days later.
What happened with the ICE detainer?
DHS said ICE lodged a detainer after Barrie’s Baltimore arrest and had also lodged one during his earlier New York arrest. The available account does not state whether he has been transferred to federal custody.
