Man charged in killing of pregnant 18-year-old in Rhawnhurst

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A pregnant 18-year-old was shot and killed in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia earlier this week, and police say her boyfriend has been charged in the case.

Robert Tatum, 29, is facing charges including voluntary manslaughter for the death of Lemmarra Bradshaw, 18.

Bradshaw's grieving family said the relationship had become abusive in the weeks leading up to her death.

"My whole world is shattered right now," Michelle Adekola, the victim's mother said Friday.

Bradshaw was pregnant with her second child when she was killed in a shooting Monday night on the 7000 block of Langdon Street in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia.

Tatum, according to the family, had been dating Bradshaw for several years.

"I am shocked that he killed her, because he had no reason to," Adekola said. "He tore my heart in pieces. He took something special away from me."

Investigators say the shots were fired during an argument over a hamster - one Adekola had bought for her daughter last Saturday. But Bradshaw's aunt says the fight stemmed from Tatum's alleged infidelity.

"He was cheating on her, and Lemmarra is the kind of person, she'll say if you're gonna do it, I'm gonna do it too," she said.

Family members say the relationship had become increasingly volatile.

"He punched her in her face like two weeks ago, and in less than 24 hours, she went back to him. He manipulated her," the aunt said. "He's always in a jealous rage."

Sources tell Action News that Tatum claimed Bradshaw came at him with a knife and a screwdriver, and that's when he shot her.

Adekola says the loss has devastated their family. Her daughter is the third child she's had to bury in recent years.

"It's sad to see her end like this, I don't know what the other person was thinking or what," she said. "She was carrying your baby, you should have more sympathy towards her. I don't understand that."

"I never expected this. I never knew I'd bury my daughter," Adekola said. "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."

Bradshaw leaves behind a 4-year-old child.