Ex-Miss America contestant Christine Kozlowski's husband shot dead in front of their toddler as teen arrested

THE husband of a former Miss Mississippi was shot dead in front of their toddler son on Saturday, she has revealed.

Ex-Miss America contestant Christine Kozlowski said in a Facebook post that 37-year-old Thomas Hand Jr was shot dead by a teenager as two-year-old Roman watched on.

Christine Kozlowski and her late husband Tommy Hand Credit: chrstine__hand/Instagram

Kozlowski was Miss Mississippi in 2008 Credit: Getty

Jeremiah Walker, 17, has since been arrested.

Police and medics responded to the scene on Texas Street in Montgomery, Alabama, at around 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon after reports of a person shot.

They found Hand who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kozlowski, who was Miss Mississippi in 2008, confirmed her husband's death in a heartbreaking Facebook post on Sunday.

“Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers during this time of the passing of my husband Tommy Hand,” she wrote.

“I feel the love and support from everyone and just wanted to let everyone know that indeed Tommy was shot and killed last night on Texas Street in Montgomery AL.

“I appreciate and welcome all of the messages, I’m just overwhelmed with all the questions and retelling of the details of what happened.

“I will at a later date release more information to explain everything to everyone.”

Only two days before Hand's death, the couple had revealed in another Facebook post that Kozlowski is pregnant with their second child.

“The next Baby Hand Coming August 2022. Rest up baby boy, Mom is going to need your help,' she wrote in a Facebook message to her son.

On the same day, Hand had posted a loving tribute to his wife on their sixth anniversary.

The couple married in 2016.

“Beauty, smarts, caring about others, being an incredible mother, wife, and the list could go on and on,” the young dad wrote.

“I never post much but wanted you to know today makes 6 years, happy anniversary Christine I love you very much, I can’t wait to meet our next baby this summer which is why I didn’t purchase you anything as I have already given you a gift.”

CAPITAL MURDER CHARGE

Kozlowski's sister has established a GoFundMe page to help in raising the couple's son and unborn baby.

It had raised more than $26,000 by Wednesday morning.

Walker is charged with capital murder for Hand's shooting and is being held in Montgomery County Detention Center.

Authorities said the secondary crime needed to charge a suspect with capital murder was shooting the victim in the presence of a child under the age of 14.

Cops have not yet revealed a motive.

The shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with any information related to this shooting should contact CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP, Secret Witness at 334-625-4000, or Montgomery Police Department at 334-625-2831.

The couple married in 2008 Credit: christine__hand / Instagram