Leisha Ramos was looking forward to her return to her home island of Oahu after living on the Big Island, when a series of events led to a security guard fatally shooting her dog Kai’ele at Honolulu International Airport Tuesday night.

“I was just in shock…He was such a sweetheart,” said Ramos of the 2-year-old pit bull. “He never attacked anybody.”

A state Department of Transportation spokesman confirmed that a Securitas security officer was involved in the incident just before 7 p.m. and that an investigation is underway, but gave no other details. Securitas Security Services USA officials did not respond to a query about the incident.

Authorities were holding the body of Kai’ele as evidence as they continue an investigation.

Ramos said her boyfriend had parked his vehicle near a smoking area inside a vehicle holding area near the Hawaiian Airlines terminal Tuesday night.

Kai’ele was left chained to a nearby coconut tree, while Ramos’ boyfriend went to help gather her luggage at a baggage claim area.

She said Kai’ele’s chain did break but he wasn’t snarling, barking or growling.

Ramos said she tried to grab the dog by his collar with her right hand while holding her 5-month-old baby in her left arm, when the security guard fatally shot Kai’ele in the head.