“Levittown Mom Testifies in Bristol Murder Trial: Witness Describes Shocking Shooting of Faisal Iqbal”

A preliminary hearing was held for Sammar Khan, a mother of four from Bristol Township who is charged with the murder of her estranged husband. Maria Butler testified as the lone prosecution witness, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting. Butler stated that she saw Khan and her husband arguing before they walked towards the river with their child and dog. Later, Butler witnessed Khan shooting her husband multiple times, even after he was injured. Khan’s attorney claims that she was a battered spouse who feared her husband. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. shooting-murder-lions-park/70417364007/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Jo Ciavaglia reported

Two months after Memorial Day, Maria Butler and her nephews found themselves in a situation they never could have anticipated. They were sitting in Butler’s car near Lions Park in Bristol, waiting for a text message from their mother. Little did they know that this mundane morning would lead to Butler testifying in a courtroom about witnessing a man’s murder. Sammar Khan, a 40-year-old mother of four from Bristol Township, was charged with the murder of her estranged husband, Faisal Iqbal, at the Delaware River-front park. Butler was the prosecution’s lone witness in the preliminary hearing.

In an emotional testimony, Butler provided a detailed account of the events that unfolded before and after the alleged shooting. She explained that she and her nephews were in her car when she noticed a couple arguing in a nearby vehicle. The couple, later identified as Khan and Iqbal, eventually got out of the car, along with their 5-year-old son and a small dog. Butler’s attention was caught by the dog, and she watched as the couple and their child walked towards the river. After losing sight of them, Butler saw them again about 15 to 20 minutes later, walking back towards the parking lot.

According to Butler’s testimony, Iqbal was slightly ahead of Khan, holding the dog, while their child trailed behind them. When they reached the car, Iqbal put the dog inside, and they walked back towards the river. Butler observed them sitting on large rocks and appearing to have a conversation, while their son played nearby. Another half hour passed, and Butler saw the couple and their child heading back towards the parking lot. It was then that a loud popping sound caught her attention. She looked over and saw Khan holding a gun. Iqbal started running, with their son following behind him, screaming for help. Butler immediately dialed 911, but Khan fired two or three shots, causing Iqbal to fall to the ground near a park bench.

“She is shooting and shooting. I was afraid she’d kill the kid, too,” Butler said, her voice filled with tears and her body trembling. In a state of shock, Butler watched as Khan walked over to where Iqbal had fallen and fired three more shots into him. Afterward, Khan grabbed their son and appeared to make a phone call. Butler, still shaken, recalled pleading for someone to help Iqbal, but no one came to his aid. Panic ensued, with everyone in the park running away from the scene.

Throughout Butler’s testimony, Khan kept her head down and repeatedly pulled her hair out of her face. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, though Iqbal had recently filed for divorce and custody of their children. Court records indicate that Khan had an active protection order against Iqbal due to domestic violence, and he had been previously jailed for violating it. Khan’s attorney claimed that she was a battered spouse who feared for her life.

During questioning, Khan allegedly told the police that the couple had gone to the park to discuss their relationship, but the meeting took a turn for the worse, leading to her killing Iqbal shortly before 11 a.m. The police recovered a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun at the scene, which they believe Khan used. After the shooting, Khan allegedly called her boyfriend, confessed to the crime, and asked him to pick up their son.

Following the preliminary hearing, District Court Judge Frank Peranteau held Khan for trial on all charges, including first-degree murder. She remains in custody as the case progresses.

It is important to note that court documents suggest a history of abuse in the relationship, but no evidence regarding domestic violence allegations was presented during the hearing. The couple had three children together, and Khan also has a teenage son from a previous relationship.

The tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day have left Maria Butler and her nephews traumatized. The memory of witnessing a man’s murder in broad daylight at a peaceful park will forever haunt them. The community remains shocked and saddened by the loss of Faisal Iqbal’s life, while the legal proceedings continue to unravel the details of this devastating crime..