In a shocking incident in Vermont, a homeless shelter worker lost her life in a brutal attack allegedly carried out by a resident of the facility. Zaaina Asra Zakirrah Mahvish-Jammeh is accused of using a small ax to kill Leah Rosin-Pritchard at a Vermont shelter on Monday, according to reports.
The horrifying event began with a scream heard inside the facility, followed by witnesses observing a woman attacking Rosin-Pritchard, as stated in an affidavit from Brattleboro police. Rosin-Pritchard was discovered on the shelter’s kitchen floor, suffering from severe wounds to her face, neck, and torso. Mahvish-Jammeh was found in a nearby room, reportedly wiping blood off her hands with a paper towel.
Authorities revealed that Mahvish-Jammeh, 38, had a brief, muffled conversation with the 36-year-old victim before launching the attack. There was no apparent argument preceding the assault. One unnamed witness, deeply traumatized by the incident, admitted to having difficulty sleeping since witnessing the gruesome event.
According to the affidavit, Mahvish-Jammeh told another worker after the attack that she disliked Rosin-Pritchard. She allegedly continued the assault even as the victim lay motionless on the floor. Mahvish-Jammeh has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Groundworks, the organization that operates the shelter, described Rosin-Pritchard as “irreplaceable” in a statement on Facebook. The organization praised her as a “strong, positive, beautiful, and compassionate person” who generously contributed her spirit and skills to support both the residents and her colleagues at Morningside House. Groundworks expressed their profound grief at her loss and extended condolences to her family, friends, and the broader Brattleboro community.