Woman Wounded In Hookah Lounge Sword Assault Released From Hospital


The scene outside 1001 Arabian Nights hookah lounge in West Hartford. (David Owens/ Hartford Courant)
By Christine Dempsey

WEST HARTFORD — A woman wounded this week in a sword assault at her husband's Park Road hookah lounge has been released from the hospital, police said Friday.

Najeh Frehi, 24, who was found suffering from serious stab and slash wounds down the street from the 1001 Arabian Nights Hookah Lounge early Wednesday, was discharged from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center Thursday, Capt. Don Melanson said.

Her husband, George Ayoub, 47, remained in the hospital, where he underwent a second round of surgery Thursday, Melanson said. Ayoub's condition was upgraded to stable.

Ayoub suffered a "serious abdominal injury" during the incident at the hookah lounge he owns, Melanson said. His wife has cuts to her hands and stab wounds to her shoulders.

No arrests have been made and police are investigating, Melanson said. Police have not finished gathering evidence at the hookah lounge at 134 Park Road.

Melanson said no one else was involved in the slashing. He wouldn't talk about who might be arrested.

"The biggest thing in a case like this is not to rush to judgment," Melanson said. "It is important to gather all of the facts and make a determination based on the facts alone."

Police said Ayoub called 911 at 3:17 a.m. Wednesday reporting his wife had stabbed him.

The first officers to arrive found Frehi outside and began treating her, while others went to the hookah lounge and could see Ayoub through the window, police said.

He was still on the phone with a police dispatcher asking for help. The business door was locked and Ayoub was bleeding heavily and was too badly injured to unlock it, so officers smashed their way through the glass door to reach him, Melanson said.

A large sword was found at the scene, he said.

Detectives are working to determine what led up to the assaults.
hookahs and swords. works for me.