Man Accused Of Killing His Mother's Goddaughter
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PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) -- It's not known why Hashim Pew allegedly pulled out a stolen .45 caliber handgun and murdered his own mother's god-daughter in cold blood.
The violence cut short the life of Janel Hamilton who was set to turn 20 at the end of October.
"We were together last Sunday, we were happy together, everything was going alright. And then we came home and got the news she was shot," said Janel's uncle, Winston Hamilton.
He says Hamilton had recently moved to Pembroke Pines from London, and was staying with her godmother. She planned to attend law school in January.
"It's beyond repair man. It's two lives. Words can't explain. She was such a nice girl, very brilliant girl, she go to school, always in school. I don't know what happened," he said.
Police said Hamilton, Pew and several relatives were watching TV when Pew got up to get a blanket, and suddenly shot Hamilton.
According to the arrest affidavit, "The family turned around and observed Janel laying in a prone position, which is flat on her stomach, on the floor."
Police said Pew then walked over to Hamilton and discharged the firearm again striking her a second time.
After hearing the shots, next door neighbor Barbara Wescott heard the screams of Hamilton's godmother as she ran out carrying her infant grandson.
"I told her to come here, because I didn't want anything to happen the baby," Wescott told CBS4's Natalia Zea.
Police said Pew's father and brothers tackled him and took away the gun...
According to the arrest form, "While laying on the floor Pew said, 'She's dead as (expletive) dawg.'"
Wescott can't believe that Pew is the same young man, who along with his brothers, has always been respectful to her and even escorted her home.
"They come over and they help me. You know they hold my hand until I get into the house," said Wescott.
She added, "I was shocked because they're wonderful people, they've never been a problem, there's never been police there before. It's a nice family."
Pew does have a criminal history of grand theft and carrying a concealed weapon, but no history of violent crimes.
His rap sheet just got a lot more severe. He's now charged with first-degree premeditated murder.
Hamilton's cousin told Zea that Hamilton's devastated mother is flying to South Florida from the U.K. and is "out of her mind." She says Hamilton was her youngest child.
