PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — One of the two people killed on Sunday morning in a fire on NE Glisan Street was a Portland State University student from Saudi Arabia, his father tells KOIN 6 News.
Taher Alhaji and another person were killed in the fire allegedly started by Ryan Thomas Monaco, 28. Monaco faces charges of aggravated murder and arson in the first degree.
Monaco appeared in court Friday morning. Court documents show Alhaji and the other victim were roommates of Monaco’s on-and-off girlfriend. She told detectives they had an argument and after she left, he called to say he soaked her couch with gasoline — something he later admitted to investigators.
Alhaji’s father Ali Taher Alhaji spoke after the court appearance, confirming his son died in the fire.
“He came here to study to make a future to come back home with a good hope and a good knowledge and a good memory of this beautiful country and nice people,” he said.
His family wants to bring his body home to Saudi Arabia as quickly as possible.
“I know it is very difficult,” he said. “There are some laws have to be done, I respect it, I respect the American law, I trust the American judicial system and the good relation between the two countries that will help to expedite and send his body as soon as possible.”
Alhaji was one of 11 children and had a twin brother.
No one in Portland new Alhaji better than Linda Duran, who saw him just the morning before he was killed. She paid her respects Friday morning to the man she knew for about 3 years.
“I want everyone to know that this guy if he had $2 in his pocket and you needed those $2, he would give them to you. If I was cold, he took off his sweater … he was a people pleaser and he didn’t care about the material things.”
Duran said Alhaji had just started renting his room in the Cape Manor Apartments this month.PSU officials released the following statement about Alhaji’s death”
Portland State University has learned that one of the victims killed in a fire on NE Glisan Street was PSU student Taher Alhaji. The Portland State community is deeply saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with Taher’s family.”
The other victim was 42-year-old Jason Miller. KOIN 6 News is working to learn more about Miller.
Monaco’s next court appearance is August 7.