Police: Arlington Man Throws Meat Cleaver at New Mother

A 34-year-old Arlington man has been accused of throwing a 3-by-6-inch meat cleaver into a hospital room full of people — including a woman who had just given birth.

Kareem Jorif went to Virginia Hospital Center at about 5:30 p.m. Friday to deliver a message to the new mother, according to information the Arlington County Police Department released today.

That message: The baby's father would not be able to come to the hospital, as he had just been put in jail. Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck did not know what the father had been charged with.

Four family members were with the woman in her hospital room in the maternity ward. They did not want Jorif inside, Sternbeck said.

One man stepped outside of the hospital room to ask what the message was so he could deliver it. This led to a argument between Jorif and the family member, Sternbeck said.

Jorif became "increasingly upset," Sternbeck said. When the family member walked back inside the hospital room, Jorif pulled a meat cleaver from his waistband and started "slashing at the door," Sternbeck said.

With the door partially open, Jorif threw the cleaver inside in the direction of the five people, though he did not strike anyone, Sternbeck said.

Sternbeck did not know whether the baby was in the room. He described the cleaver as a "large knife."

Jorif tried to run away, but hospital staff were able to detain him until police arrived, Sternbeck said.

Jorif was arrested and charged with five counts of attempted malicious wounding and carrying a concealed weapon, according to police. He was held without bond.

Sternbeck did not know Jorif's relationship to the baby's father.

Police did not immediately release this information about Friday's incident because there was no threat to the public, Sternbeck said.