PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Robert Tatum, 29, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his pregnant 18-year-old girlfriend Lemmarra Bradshaw during a domestic dispute Monday night in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood.
The shooting occurred on the 7000 block of Langdon Street as the couple argued over infidelity and a pet hamster that Bradshaw’s mother had recently given her, according to Philadelphia police and court records reviewed by multiple outlets. Tatum also faces charges of recklessly endangering another person. Bradshaw was pregnant with her second child when she was killed, and police have described the incident as an act of domestic violence.
Investigators say the fatal argument began over a hamster that Bradshaw’s mother, Michelle Adekola, had bought for her daughter the previous Saturday. However, family members told local media the deeper conflict stemmed from allegations of mutual infidelity between the couple. “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,'” Bradshaw’s aunt said. The aunt also described Tatum as being “always in a jealous rage” and said he had physically assaulted Bradshaw just two weeks prior. “He punched her in her face like two weeks ago, and in less than 24 hours, Lemmarra went back to him. He manipulated her,” the aunt told WPVI.
Tatum claimed to investigators that Bradshaw approached him with a knife and a screwdriver before he shot her, according to police statements. Court records show Tatum was arrested Monday following the shooting and appeared for a preliminary arraignment Wednesday. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 30. The defendant remains in custody as the investigation continues. Police have not released additional details about the specific circumstances of the shooting or what evidence was recovered from the scene.
The loss has devastated Bradshaw’s family and the local community. “She was carrying your baby, you should have more sympathy towards her. I don’t understand that,” 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.” An obituary for Bradshaw described her death as leaving “a deep and painful void in the hearts of everyone who loved her.” The obituary noted that “the loss of both Lemmarra and her unborn baby has devastated our family and our community.”
Domestic violence incidents involving pregnant victims represent a particularly vulnerable population, with studies showing pregnancy can escalate existing patterns of abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is a leading cause of death for pregnant women in the United States. The couple had been experiencing increasing conflicts in recent weeks, with family members describing a pattern of physical violence followed by reconciliation. Bradshaw had one other child and was described by her family as having “a bright spirit and a future ahead of her that was tragically cut short.” The Rhawnhurst neighborhood where the shooting occurred is a residential area in northeast Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and prosecutors will present evidence to support the voluntary manslaughter charge against Tatum. Voluntary manslaughter typically applies when a killing occurs in the heat of passion without premeditation, distinguishing it from first-degree murder charges. The recklessly endangering charge suggests prosecutors believe Tatum’s actions put others at risk beyond the direct victim. Legal experts note that domestic violence cases involving pregnant victims often result in enhanced penalties under state law. The preliminary hearing scheduled for March 30 will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Family members wore shirts honoring Bradshaw’s memory during recent court proceedings, seeking justice for the young mother and her unborn child. “Lemmarra was a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend,” her obituary stated. Community members have expressed shock at the violence, particularly given the victim’s pregnancy and young age. The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence prevention and intervention programs designed to protect vulnerable individuals from intimate partner violence.
Tatum remains in custody awaiting his preliminary hearing next month, while Bradshaw’s family continues to grieve the loss of both mother and unborn child. The investigation by Philadelphia police is ongoing, with prosecutors building their case for the upcoming court proceedings.
