Mother fatally shot when moving daughter out of Iowa home; daughter's ex-boyfriend arrested

An Iowa mother who was fatally shot was helping her daughter move out of a home when the daughter's ex-boyfriend allegedly opened fire, in what authorities are calling a domestic dispute between the former couple.

The suspected shooter, identified as 24-year-old Hamza Smajlovic, is also accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend's father at the home, authorities said. The father was in critical condition at a hospital on Thursday

The double shooting took place at a home in Des Moines, and claimed the life of Ruth Sue Ann Robison, the Polk County Sheriff's Office reported.

According to detectives, deputies responded to a home about 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 1 for a report of a disturbance.

At the scene, deputies found Robison, 45, and her 52-year-old husband suffering from gunshot wounds to their heads, and determined the shooting stemmed from a domestic incident between the shooting suspect and his ex-girlfriend.

Both were transported to nearby hospitals with life-threatening injuries, where Robison died.

Her husband, who had been listed in critical condition on Monday, was still alive Thursday, sheriff's office Capt. Ryan Evans confirmed to USA TODAY.

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Affidavit: Both parents shot in the head with 9mm pistol

Officials said Smajlovic’s ex-girlfriend had recently ended their relationship, was in the process of moving out of his house, and Robison and her husband were helping their daughter move.

According to a criminal complaint, Smajlovic reportedly shot Robison in the head once with a 9mm pistol. In the paperwork, deputies also wrote the suspect shot her husband in the head and fired a round into the home.

At the scene, deputies took Smajlovic, of West Des Moines, into custody and later arrested him on charges including first-degree murder and attempted murder.

Smajlovic was an ex-boyfriend of the victim’s daughter

On Thursday, Evans said there had been no other calls for service to the home where the couple lived during the last 6 months.

Online records show the suspect was being held without bail Thursday at the Polk County Jail on charges of murder, attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

As of Thursday a court date was not listed online for Smajlovic and it was not immediately known whether he had obtained an attorney.

After the shootings, the court filed a no contact order against him for his ex-girlfriend.

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Fundraiser created to help with funeral, medical expenses

At the time of her death, Robison lived in Urbandale, with her husband. The city is about 9 miles southwest of where the shooting took place.

An online fundraiser to help the family with funeral and medical expenses had raised nearly $16,000 as of Thursday.

"We are all devastated by Ruth Robison's loss as well as the hospitalization of (her husband)," LeAnna Hoffman wrote on the page she created. "We want to help their family to give Ruth the memorial she deserves, to honor her memory. Additionally, we want to help out with hospital expenses for )her husband) along with the day-to-day living expenses for the family while they navigate this difficult time.

USA TODAY has reached out to Hoffman.

On Thursday, Evans said no addional details were being released in the case which remained under investigation.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff's office at 515-286-3333.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund