He was leaving ATM, on his way home to mom, when he was shot dead in robbery ambush

Jaime Humet loved books and his job as a librarian. He loved walking his two dogs. Above all, he was devoted to his mother, who raised him and his older brother on her own.

He called to see if she needed anything from the grocery store on his way home from work Monday evening. That was the last Pilar Humet heard from her son.

Jaime Humet, 47, paused at an ATM to check his balance. As he left the credit union parking lot in his 2007 Toyota Camry, he was ambushed by a gunman who tried to rob him. Humet pressed the accelerator as he wheeled onto Northwest Second Avenue, but the robber opened fire and a bullet that shattered Humet’s rear windshield struck him in the back and killed him. Police and emergency workers found Humet slumped over his steering wheel on the busy Miami Gardens street.

“Whoever did this was standing a little ways from the bank to avoid the security cameras,” said Humet’s brother, Nick. “We think the guy tapped on his window, stuck a gun in his face and demanded money. It was cold-blooded murder. Jaime was driving away, the opportunity was lost, there was no reason to shoot.

“They killed him for nothing. He had $40 in his pocket.”

Miami Gardens police told Humet’s family that thieves lurking at ATMs are “an ongoing crime problem that officers are monitoring,” Nick Humet said. “People need to be careful.”

Pilar Humet, 69, who lived with Jaime in their house near North Miami Beach, said he was her rock.

“If a mother wrote a letter to God about the most loving, selfless son, it would be about Jaime,” she said. “He was never a problem, even as a kid. He was sweet, peaceful, helpful.

“I am destroyed.”

Humet was a popular Miami-Dade County librarian for 22 years. He worked downtown — so he could be near his mother’s office where she used to work for the city of Miami as a zoning inspector and tax collector — and most recently at the Miami Lakes branch. He owned a large collection of books and comic books. He enjoyed drawing in his spare time.

“We are polar opposites,” said Nick, 52. “I was into motorcycles, scuba diving. If you lit a rocket, I’d ride it. Jaime has always been at home taking care of my mom and our family. My two kids love their uncle more than me.

“He was the simplest, most humble person. If I could nominate someone for sainthood, it would be my brother.”

Nick and his mother weep when they contemplate the senselessness of the crime.

“A good man, killed because of pure viciousness,” Nick said.

Humet was driving in the 20700 block of Northwest Second Avenue when he was shot at 8:38 p.m. on Monday, police said.

“Our detectives are still trying to piece together what led to this homicide,” Miami Gardens Officer Carlos Austin said.

Detective Sean Horne said somebody on the street must have observed something.

“We’re looking for a white, new-model sedan,” Horne said. “We know from video surveillance of the area that there were other people out there so we’re hoping they come forward with information.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Horne at 305-474-1560 or 786-261-9779.

Information can be submitted anonymously by calling Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or visit www.CrimeStoppers305.com and select “Submit a Tip” or www.facebook.com/crimestoppers305 and select “Contact Us.”

This story was originally published December 11, 2018 at 10:09 PM.