Pregnant model, 22, shot inside car in DC, gives birth before dying of injuries

Samya Gill, who was eight months pregnant, and the father of her unborn child were sitting in the parked car on 37th Street SE about 11:20am local time on Thursday when the gunmen pulled up in another vehicle, jumped out and opened fire, police said.

Her companion, who was struck by the gunfire, drove off and stopped the bullet-riddled car at a busy intersection about a kiloetre away at Minnesota Avenue and Dix Street, WJLA reported.

Ms Gill, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was rushed to an area hospital, where she gave birth before succumbing to her injuries, The NY Post reports.

The baby was listed in critical condition, according to authorities.

“The adult male is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries,” police said of the second victim.

Police released surveillance camera images showing the suspects – one wearing a white jacket and hoodie and the other wearing dark clothes – shooting as they run toward the victims’ car.

The alleged gunmen’s white four-door sedan also is pictured in the police release.

Police said the shooting was a targeted attack, adding that they did not yet know the motive.

“This is a brazen act. It happened in the middle of the day,” Assistant Chief of Patrol Andre Wright told reporters.

Ms Gill’s mother, who did not want to be identified, told WJLA that her daughter, one of seven children, was a model and ran an online clothing boutique, but had recently devoted all her time to prepare for her baby.

She told the outlet that her granddaughter was delivered by C-section after the brazen attack.

“She’s beautiful. I went to go see her last night and she’s just gorgeous,” the grieving woman told WJLA. “I just really hope they catch whoever did that to my daughter.”

The mother said that if the baby survives, she will raise the child, who, according to a GoFundMe page, is named Zailey.

“This is really devastating for my family, and a huge financial burden. We are asking if there’s anything you all can donate, we’d greatly appreciate it. There is no amount to big or too small,” the fundraiser said.

Ms Gill’s murder was one of four homicides last week in DC, according to the Washington Post.

As of Friday, homicides in the nation’s capital were up 16 percent compared with the same time in 2022.

Last year, the city surpassed 200 killings for only the second time in almost 20 years, the outlet reported.

A reward of up to US$25000 (AU$36500) is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in Thursday’s attack.

This article originally appeared in The NY Post and was republished with permission.