An Iowa man is in jail after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend’s parents, killing her mother and critically injuring her father, as they were moving her out of the house they shared after their breakup.
It occurred around 5:20 p.m. on Friday in the 200 block of NW 51st Place in Des Moines. Police arrested Hamza Smajlovic, 24, on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.
He is accused of killing Ruth Sue Ann Robison, 45, and injuring her husband, 52. The 24-year-old woman and Smajlovic’s relationship had ended, and her parents were helping her move out of his home.
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At some point, Smajlovic is said to have opened fire. When Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they discovered the pair inside with gunshot wounds. Paramedics rushed the victims to the hospital, where doctors pronounced Robison dead and her husband in critical condition, police said.
According to the criminal complaint, he shot Robison once in the head with a 9mm pistol. He also allegedly shot his girlfriend’s father in the head.
Police allege that he fired the gun into the house while the victims were inside. He appears to have remained at the scene following the shooting. His ex-girlfriend was also present but was not physically harmed, according to police.
“The defendant did knowingly, intentionally and willingly fire a live 9 mm round into an occupied residence at the victim, while in the commission of a murder and attempted murder of two other victims in the home at the time of the shooting,” the complaint continued.
Smajlovic was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, where he remains without bond. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 12. The incident is still under investigation.
