NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A pregnant woman was killed in an overnight double shooting in Newport News.
Newport News police said officers were called to 27th Street and Madison Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. for a shooting. At the scene, officers found a crashed car with a 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman as well as a one-year-old girl inside.
Police said the child was not hit by gunfire, but she was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The woman, who police identified as Tiara Jefferson, was 15 weeks pregnant. Police say the woman was shot in the chest as she drove down the street.
The man was also shot, but police said his injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Newport News police spokesman Brandon Maynard said Thursday’s incident marked the city’s eighth homicide in 2018, which is higher than this time last year.
“It’s a sad situation,” Maynard said. “With any homicide it’s sad. But you have a pregnant female and her child in the backseat of that car. It’s awful…it’s gotta stop.”
Neighbors in the area say they are heartbroken by the loss.
“I’m just thinking how sad it is … and what her family has to go through. How are they going to explain to the child as they get older?” said Lavonda Lewis.
Police investigators spent five hours at the scene Thursday morning gathering evidence and taking notes. Forensics crews were seen taking pictures of bloodied clothes along the sidewalk.
No suspect or suspects have been identified.
Stay with WAVY.com for the latest developments.