Mother killed in front of her 3 kids by husband after he was released without bail for assault

A mother was killed in front of her three children in Buffalo, N.Y., allegedly by her husband who was released on cashless bail after being charged with assault, according to news reports. 

Keaira Hudson, 40, was shot dead in her vehicle on Wednesday morning by her 45-year-old husband, Adam Bennefield, while her children were in the back seat, according to News 4 and ABC 7. 

Hudson and Bennefield were separated, and on Sept. 28, he allegedly punched and kicked her in their home, according to court documents. She had posted a video of the assault on Facebook and was living with her mother in recent days, even wearing a bulletproof vest when leaving the house. 

Bennefield was charged in court with one count of third-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, one count of second-degree menacing, one count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment, and one count of second-degree harassment. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 20. 

The offenses do not qualify for bail, which is why Bennefield was released on his own recognizance. A law enforcement source told News 4 that these charges would have qualified for bail prior to bail reform. 

"The suspect was arraigned, and a stay-away order of protection was issued against the suspect," Cheektowaga Police Chief Brian Gould said. Cheektowaga is a Buffalo suburb.

"After being released by the court, the domestic violence advocate advised the victim, that the suspect was released," he also said.

Bennefield is being identified by authorities as a person of interest in the homicide, and police says he's possibly armed and dangerous. In 2000, he had slammed a stolen car into the vehicle his ex-girlfriend was driving before forcing her and her passenger at gunpoint into his vehicle and leading police on a high-speed chase. 

Rep. Lee Zeldin, the GOP gubernatorial nominee for New York, posted on Truth Social about the murder with a video of him criticizing the lack of assistance to law enforcement. 

"Tuesday, Keaira Hudson's husband was arrested & charged with many new domestic violence charges after attacking her. He was instantly released on cashless bail. Yesterday, he shot & killed Keaira in front of her 3 kids. She had on a bulletproof vest," Zeldin wrote. 

"Because (New York Democrat Gov.) Kathy Hochul panders to pro-criminal allies as her top priority above all else, Keaira Hudson's 3 kids will now grow up without a mother. 

"I'm going to do everything in my power to remove Hochul from office Nov 8."