Shooting victim loses unborn child

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Police in Hartford want your help to track down whoever shot two women on Saturday, including one who was pregnant and lost her unborn baby.

The victim had just wrapped up dinner with her aunt inside an apartment on Winchester Street in Hartford. She was standing outside waiting for a ride with a friend when they were shot. The family says they wish they could talk to us about what happened but they are scared -- scared of retaliation on the street.

The 24-year-old woman, five months pregnant, was rushed to St. Francis Hospital around midnight with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Doctor's described how she was bleeding and in danger of dying, her unborn baby still breathing.

"In situations like this our first priority when dealing with a pregnant woman is to make sure the mother is stabilized," the doctor said.

The baby wasn't struck by the bullet but the trauma was too much at just 20 weeks. After three surgeries, the mother delivered a stillborn.

"It was the best thing for the mother to stop the bleeding, and the family was able to hold the baby and take pictures," the doctor said.

The victim's aunt told News 8 she is so grateful for the care her niece is receiving. Her friend, who was wounded in the head, is now home. The neighborhood is still shaken by the shooting and say gunfire is all too common around here. Cortney McCray worries about his grandmother who lives on the street.

"It's crazy," McCray said. "People are just getting hot around here. I just don't get it."

The victim is expected to make a full recovery. Police are asking anyone with any information about this crime to call 860-757-4000.