In a tragic turn of events that unfolded in Henrico, Virginia, 18-year-old Vanessa Zaman was fatally shot on December 13, 2018. She and her cousin, Leona Samlall, also 18, were walking near an apartment building in Highland Springs when the deadly confrontation occurred. The young women were ambushed in what has been described as a fit of rage.
The man authorities identified as the suspect was shockingly close to Vanessa; it was her own father, 39-year-old Abdool Zaman. Investigators believe he got out of his car to confront the two young women before shooting them. The attack was not random, as sources indicated the suspect 'most likely knew them.' Vanessa had reportedly reconnected with her father just the year before her death.
Following the shooting, a manhunt for Abdool Zaman was initiated, with police warning that he should be considered armed and dangerous. He was wanted on two warrants for second-degree murder. The search came to an end when Zaman was apprehended in New York City with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. After his capture, authorities stated that the charges against him would likely be upgraded.
