Man Killed Daughter, Niece With Whom He Fathered Child, Gets Indicted
A man was indicted on capital murder charges on Thursday for killing his teenage daughter and niece, with whom he allegedly fathered a child. According to reports, Abdool Zaman, 39, fatally shot the two girls in December while the pair where walking near an apartment complex in Highland Springs, Virginia.
A grand jury in Henrico, Virginia, indicted Zaman, who also faces charges over the “use of a firearm in the commission of a felony first and second offense,” on two counts of capital murder. He was previously charged with second-degree murder. The victims were identified as Zaman's daughter Vanessa, 18, and his niece Leona Samlall, 18.
Samlall had a 3-month-old baby at the time of the shooting incident, local media Richmond Dispatch-Times reported. According to Vanessa's mother, Saveeta Barnes, Zaman was the father of the child.
Vanessa had reportedly left her mother’s home on Long Island, New York, to live with her estranged father in Florida. Zaman and Samlall were living in Orlando when Vanessa moved in with them. However, Vanessa was worried about Samlall’s safety and the two teens left Florida to live with Samlall’s mother and stepfather in Virginia.
According to local reports, Zaman arrived in Virginia and allegedly followed the two teens to the apartment complex where he fatally shot them. He was arrested in New York a few days after the incident. He fought extradition to Virginia but was transported to the state March 28 after losing a challenge in court.
In a GoFundMe page, Vanessa's mother remembered her daughter who she said was fighting to save the lives of two people, Samlall and her infant.
My daughter was only 18 when her life ended at the hands of her own father. Vanessa Zaman was a beautiful, smart, caring and compassionate daughter, sister and friend. Born and raised in NY, Vanessa grew up with me, her mother. Her biological father was out of her life for most of her life. Vanessa always wanted his love and for him to be a part of her life. When she turned 18 she got in contact with her father. Even after telling her countless times that he was not a good person, she still went ahead and moved in with him. Her life took a tragic turn, when she found out that he was abusing his girlfriend. Vanessa tried to protect her and an innocent baby. Vanessa was protecting 2 other souls. On 12/13/18 he shot and killed his own daughter Vanessa. Help us to build a memorial site. Vanessa died a hero protecting others while paying with her dear life. Gone but will never be forgotten.