Lemmarra Bradshaw's family said her death "has left a deep and painful void in the hearts of everyone who loved her"
Credit: Lemmarra Bradshaw/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- An 18-year-old pregnant woman is dead and leaves behind her 4-year-old daughter after she was allegedly shot by her boyfriend
- Robert Tatum, 29, faces charges of voluntary manslaughter, possessing an instrument of crime with intent and recklessly endangering another person
- Lemmarra Bradshaw’s family said her death “has left a deep and painful void in the hearts of everyone who loved her”
A young pregnant woman is dead, and her boyfriend is now facing manslaughter charges after he allegedly shot her.
Lemmarra Bradshaw, 18, was allegedly shot and killed by Robert Tatum in Philadelphia on March 9. She was pregnant with her second baby, 6 ABC Philadelphia and Law & Crime reported.
Tatum, 29, claimed that Bradshaw “came at him with a knife and a screwdriver” when he allegedly shot her, according to the outlets.
He now faces charges of voluntary manslaughter, possessing an instrument of crime with intent and recklessly endangering another person, court records show.
Bradshaw leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter.
Credit: Lemmarra Bradshaw/Facebook
Bradshaw’s family accused Tatum of being abusive to Bradshaw over the course of their relationship. They said they believe it led to her death.
"He punched her in her face, like, two weeks ago, and in less than 24 hours, Lemmarra went back to him. He manipulated her. He's always in a jealous rage,” Bradshaw's aunt claimed to 6 ABC Philadelphia.
Bradshaw and Tatum were reportedly fighting over a hamster that Bradshaw’s mother bought for her 4-year-old daughter the night she was killed.
Bradshaw's aunt, however, claimed to 6 ABC Philadelphia that the pair argued over Tatum's alleged cheating.
The woman's mother, Michelle Adekola, told the outlet, “I feel like I didn't protect her enough to let this man kill my daughter, and I wasn't there to help her. It makes me feel broken inside."
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On a GoFundMe page, Bradshaw’s family described the 18-year-old's death as an “unimaginable loss."
“Her death has left a deep and painful void in the hearts of everyone who loved her,” the loved ones wrote.
Credit: Philadelphia Police Department
They added, "The loss of both Lemmarra and her unborn baby has devastated our family and our community.”
"As the legal process moves forward, our family is focusing on honoring Lemmarra’s life and supporting one another through this heartbreaking time,” the family's statement on the GoFundMe page said.
Tatum appeared in court for a preliminary arraignment on Wednesday, March 11. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 30.
The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) didn’t immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, March 15.
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