A pregnant teenager from Arizona was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend after he lured her outside with flowers in San Diego, just weeks before her due date, authorities said.
Details of the Incident
Jariah Edwards, 17, was visiting San Diego with her family when Trevon Williams, 21, arrived around 1 a.m. on Saturday and coaxed her out of a rental property with flowers, according to a friend of the victim. Williams then shot Edwards in the head and fled on foot to a nearby canyon, where he was apprehended shortly afterward, police reported.
Police received multiple 911 calls about the shooting and found Edwards, who was eight months pregnant, unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section to deliver her baby. Edwards did not survive her injuries, and her family told local media that she never had the chance to hold or name her daughter.
Baby's Condition and Family Response
The newborn girl remains in critical condition, authorities confirmed. Edwards' aunt told 12 News: "Her legacy is that her daughter is going to be everything she wanted to be and so much more, and she should be proud of that."
A GoFundMe campaign set up for the family, which will cover funeral expenses and medical costs for the baby, had raised over $4,500 toward an $8,000 goal as of Monday afternoon. The fundraiser describes Edwards as "a bright, loving young woman who was just 17 years old and preparing to welcome her first child, a baby girl. She was surrounded by family and friends who cherished her deeply."
The campaign continues: "Tragically, while on a family trip, Jariah was tracked down by her ex-boyfriend and lost her life to senseless violence. Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of her mother, sister, family, friends, and most importantly, her newborn baby girl, who is now fighting for her life."
Arrest and Investigation
After the shooting, Williams was found hiding in a nearby canyon and arrested without incident. Police recovered a semiautomatic handgun at the time of his arrest. Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive and stated that the investigation is ongoing. Williams was booked into the San Diego County jail on suspicion of murder.
