A pregnant teenager looking forward to becoming a mother was allegedly gunned down by her ex-boyfriend just weeks before her due date, leaving her newborn daughter fighting for survival and her family devastated.
The heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in San Diego, California, during the early morning hours of May 30.
According to the San Diego Police Department, the 17-year-old victim, who was approximately 32 weeks pregnant, had traveled from Arizona to visit family and was staying at a short-term vacation rental when violence shattered the trip.
Police say multiple 911 calls came in around 1:10 a.m. reporting gunfire at the property.
When officers arrived, they found the teenager unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head.
She was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors performed an emergency cesarean section in an effort to save her unborn child.
The baby girl survived the delivery but remains in critical condition. The teen mother was later pronounced dead.
Although authorities have not publicly identified the victim, family members named her as Jariah Edwards through a GoFundMe campaign created in her memory.
Loved ones described Edwards as a bright, loving young woman who was eagerly preparing to welcome her first child into the world.
Instead, her family says her life was stolen in a shocking act of violence.
According to the fundraiser, Edwards was allegedly “tracked down by her ex-boyfriend” before she was killed.
“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,” the fundraiser states.
The family is now raising money to help cover funeral expenses and the mounting medical costs associated with caring for the critically injured newborn.
Police have arrested Edwards’ ex-boyfriend, Trevon Williams, in connection with the killing.
Authorities identified Williams as 19 years old, although jail records list him as 21.
Investigators allege Williams traveled separately from Arizona to San Diego, located Edwards outside the rental property, and shot her before fleeing the scene on foot.
According to police, he ran into a nearby canyon after the shooting.
Officers later tracked him down and arrested him. During the arrest, investigators recovered a semi-automatic handgun.
Detectives continue to process evidence and interview witnesses as they piece together exactly what happened.
Williams was booked into the San Diego County Jail and faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, possession or transportation of a machine gun, and discharging a firearm.
Jail records show he is being held without bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on June 3. It is not currently known whether he has retained an attorney.
Meanwhile, a grieving family is left mourning a teenager whose life was cut short just weeks before she was supposed to welcome her daughter into the world.
