Pregnant Teen Shot During Robbery While Meeting Person from Snapchat

An Ohio high school student who was nearly six months pregnant was shot and paralyzed during a terrifying robbery, her family said.

The victim, identified by her family as Angel, was shot Saturday, June 6, in Toledo after she and her 19-year-old boyfriend drove to Greenway Avenue to meet someone they had connected with on Snapchat, according to 13ABC and WTOL 11.

Police said the 18-year-old and her boyfriend were sitting in a car when a man dressed in all black approached them and allegedly held a gun to the boyfriend’s head while demanding money.

The boyfriend tried to wrestle the gun away, but the suspect fired, according to reports.

Angel’s mother said the bullet hit her daughter in the left arm, traveled through her side and lodged in her chest.

The teen was 26 weeks pregnant at the time.

Her mother told 13ABC that the bullet missed the baby “by the grace of God.”

“She has a spinal fracture at the 12th vertebrae, so she’s paralyzed now,” Angel’s mother said. “And that’s going to be difficult enough — because she can’t really use her right arm either — and she’s got a baby on the way.”

Police searched the area after the shooting but were unable to find the suspect, according to the outlets.

Angel’s family has since launched a GoFundMe to help pay for medical bills, baby supplies and accessibility upgrades to their home, including ramps, as the teen now uses a wheelchair.

The fundraiser said Angel also went into early labor because of the gunshot wounds.

Her family said doctors are treating the situation as an emergency and believe the baby may be born very early.

“Her absolute biggest fear in life has always been paralysis,” the fundraiser said. “Now, she is facing that reality while under immense stress, worrying constantly about how she will care for her newborn baby from a wheelchair.”

The family said Angel is awake, eating and continuing to fight.

“Angel is taking this tragedy like a true trooper, fighting for her life and the life of her son,” the fundraiser added.

Angel’s mother said the family is now preparing to help the young couple care for their baby while also supporting Angel through her paralysis.

“It’s the worst feeling in the world — to see your kid suffering and not being able to do anything about it,” she told 13ABC.