Bassima Jabado, a 43-year-old woman from Miami, FL, was tragically killed on November 2, 2016. Her death was part of a horrific incident involving her husband, Fadel Jabado, who also killed their 26-year-old son, Ahmed Jabado. The events unfolded at their home in southwest Miami-Dade, where both Bassima and Ahmed were found shot to death. The motive behind the murders was rooted in domestic issues; Fadel Jabado was reportedly angry because Bassima wanted a divorce and he feared losing his home
and financial stability.
Following the murders, Fadel Jabado, a 54-year-old man, engaged in a violent confrontation with the police. He also shot an attorney, Larry Harshman, at a law office in Kendall. Harshman, who had previously handled a property transaction for Jabado, was critically injured but survived the attack. The police eventually tracked Fadel Jabado to a field in southwestern Dade County, where he barricaded himself inside a vehicle and pointed a firearm at officers. After a tense standoff, during which Jabado fired at the officers, he was shot multiple times and subsequently taken into custody.
Fadel Jabado faced numerous charges, including two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Bassima Jabado and Ahmed Jabado, one count of attempted first-degree murder for shooting Larry Harshman, and multiple counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. During his court appearances, Jabado expressed remorse and cited his religious beliefs as a reason he could not commit suicide, instead hoping the police would kill him.
In February 2017, Fadel Jabado pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His plea deal was motivated by a desire to spare his remaining children the trauma of a trial. The court proceedings revealed that Jabado's actions were driven by his fear of losing his family and financial security, as well as his anger over the impending divorce.
