Son Charged With Killing Father In Catonsville

CATONSVILLE, Md. (WJZ)--A Catonsville family in mourning after a 50-year-old father of two is found beaten to death inside his own home.

The man was found dead on Tuesday and tonight, police say they have his killer in custody

As WJZ's Derek Valcourt reports,  the victim's family is shocked to find out who's been arrested.

Family and friends continue to bring food and comfort to the widow and youngest son of 50-year-old Shakeel Abbasi who was found stabbed and bludgeoned to death inside his Southridge Road home in Catonsville just before noon Tuesday.

WJZ spoke with the victim's cousin Muhammad Idrees who says the family is in shock.

Police say Abbasi was murdered by his own son, 18-year-old son Muhammad Hasnet Shakeelabbasi, a recent high school graduate who lived with his parents and younger brother inside the home.

It's not yet known what unfolded between the father and son before the murder, but police say immediately after, the boy drove off in his father's Honda.

Police say the suspect sent a text message to a relative in New Jersey asking them to check on his father.  That relative called the victim's wife who found her husband inside unresponsive.

"Police in Pennsylvania later located the suspect and victim's van at a rest stop off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike," said Cpl. John Wachter, Baltimore County Police.

Investigators say the victim's wife was home at the time of the murder, but it's unclear what she may have seen or heard that morning.

The victim who worked as a cab driver is being remembered by friends and family.

"Working hard he's been here a long time, take care of his family and everything you know  he's an awesome guy I can say," said Mohammad Idrees, victim's cousin.

The 18-year-old is being held in Pennsylvania as he awaits extradition back to Maryland where he faces charges for his father's murder.

An autopsy is underway to determine the victim's exactly cause and manner of death.