WELAKA, Fla. — The family of a Welaka woman shot and killed by her husband a week ago is calling her death 'shocking and unexpected.'
On Nov. 1, 66-year-old Peter Hamilton was arrested for shooting his wife, 64-year-old Tina Hamilton outside of their home in Welaka.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says it was premeditated.
"She was my best friend. She knew everything about me," Tina Hamilton's son, John Phelps said. "My mom was very outgoing, very active, she rode horses every weekend."
Tina Hamilton is described as fun loving, kindhearted and someone who never met a stranger. Phelps says he and his mom had a strong bond.
"It was just me and her," Phelps said. "My dad wasn't around. I talked to her every week. She called me as soon as she got off work and talked to me the whole way home."
Phelps says the last time he talked to his mom was on Halloween.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says the next day, deputies were called to a home in the 100 block of Penny Acres Lane in Welaka after 66-year-old Peter Hamilton called 911 saying he shot Tina and needed help.
When deputies arrived, Peter refused to go outside of the home but deputies and detectives were able to convince him to come outside by relaying messages through dispatchers.
64-year-old Tina Hamilton was pronounced dead on scene. The sheriff's office notes Hamilton's injuries showed she was shot once in the back and the bullet traveled through her chest. The arrest report says her husband got the gun from the bedroom before shooting her at her car. Police say she was dressed for work.
Phelps says Tina was an employee at Haven Hospice in Palatka.
Peter is charged with premeditated first-degree murder.
Phelps says Tina and Peter were married for more than 20 years and he didn't see any warning signs.
"He is a very intellectual guy, he's smart as a whip," Phelps said. "None of us ever thought anything could happen, she never thought anything could happen. Two days before, they went bike riding on Sunday and hiking on Monday so, nobody had any clue."
Phelps says his family wants justice.
The sheriff's office says there is no known documented domestic violence between the couple before the shooting. Hamilton is held in the Putnam County Jail without bond.