ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A mother has been left numb and heartbroken following the shooting death of her 23-year-old daughter in an alleged domestic dispute in the United States on Saturday.

The deceased, Shanae Smith, was reportedly shot in the head while at her home in Lithonia, Georgia. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition but died later that day. Her mother, Taneisha Williams told Observer Online that she was on the phone with her daughter just minutes before her death.

“Me and her talk every single day. I was just on the phone with her and she said,‘Mommy me ago brush me teeth and me ago come back come call you back,” said Williams, as she recounted her last conversation with her daughter.

Taneisha Williams (left) with her daughter, Shanae Smith, Smith, 23, was killed during a domestic dispute in the US, (Photo: Contributed)

According to Williams, approximately twenty minutes after hanging up the phone, she received a call from her daughter’s boyfriend, who allegedly told her that he had shot Smith.

“Him call 1:39 pm. I will never forget that day and the time — 1:39 pm when me see Kahire phone number a call me phone,” said Williams.

When Williams probed Kahire, he allegedly told her that he had killed Smith because she was going to leave him.

Williams further shared that her daughter had met her boyfriend while attending Old Harbour High when both were students at the institution.

Though the duo didn’t date in high school, the distraught mother noted that sometime in 2022 they had bumped into each other and became a couple.  Williams explained that her daughter migrated to the United States that year, where she worked in a restaurant.

“Me numb, me shock, me numb – I don’t even know the words to describe because he did not have that personality. I sat and I spoke to that young man and he told me he was going to take care of my daughter and me nuh haffi worry bout her. It shock me outta my wits,” she said.

Admittedly, Williams shared that during the Easter holidays, her daughter had hinted that there was some tension in the relationship. However, Williams said there was nothing to suggest it would escalate.

Smith’s passing has plunged her entire family and her Old Harbour community into sadness, with Williams noting that both her younger brother and father aren’t taking the news well.

“Him nah take it too well enuh and he has high blood pressure, so me a worry bout him. Him a try; I think he is looking a flight to go up Monday,” Williams said when asked about Smith’s father.

Williams further shared that her sadness was further compounded by the fact that she doesn’t have a visa, which would allow her to travel to the United States.

“I want to try (for a visa). I am not sure they’re going to give me but I am going to try. I am waiting till Monday to contact and see,” she added.

According to a news report from Fox Local, Smith’s alleged killer is on the run as police continue their investigations.