Washington DC: Pregnant model shot dead in car gives birth to child before death | US News

A pregnant model who was shot in a car gave birth to her child before succumbing to her wounds.

22-year-old Samya Gill and a man were in a parked car at the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, Southeast, in Washington, DC when two gunmen pulled over, got out and opened fire on both of them, police said.

First responders, who arrived at the scene of the shooting just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday, transported the victims to area hospitals.

“While in hospital, the female victim gave birth,” the Metropolitan Police Department said on Thursday, adding that the infant is in critical condition.

“After all life-saving efforts failed, the adult woman succumbed to her injuries.”

Police identified the pregnant woman as a native of Fort Washington, Maryland.

The man who was shot was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Gill’s death was “really devastating to the family,” her mother said.

“At the time of my daughter’s death, she was also pregnant and would become pregnant in a few weeks. However, the (trauma) department had to perform an emergency C-section to save my granddaughter’s life and unfortunately she’s not in the best of shape herself (BUT GOD)!’ wrote Gil’s mother on a GoFundMe page.

The baby’s name is Zailey, the site says.

“She’s beautiful, I went to see her last night and she’s just beautiful,” Gill’s mother, who asked not to be named, told WJLA on Friday.

The baby was not hit by a bullet. The current grandmother said she will raise Zailey if she survives.

Gill’s mother said she worked as a model and ran an online clothing boutique but recently gave it up to focus on her baby.

“I really hope they catch whoever did this to my daughter,” said Gil’s mother.

Deputy Patrol Chief Andre Wright called the shooting in the middle of the day “a brazen act”.

The suspects who fled the scene are a man in a white sweatshirt and hat and a man in dark clothing. Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to arrests and convictions.

Gill’s killing was one of four homicides in DC last week, the Washington Post reported.

The GoFundMe page for Gill’s funeral and in support of Zailey had raised more than $13,000 as of Monday afternoon.

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