Unarmed Pregnant Woman Shot 5 Times By Police In Missouri

MISSOURI- An unarmed African American pregnant woman was shot 5 times after cooperating with police, according to witnesses.

Leonna Hale, 26, had her hands up in the air seconds before she was shot 5 times by police in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store on Friday night, according to a witness identified as Shédanja, reports The Kanas City Star.

Missouri State Highway Patrol said the shooting occurred when officers with the Kanas City Police Department attempted to arrest the occupants of a car that was allegedly involved in a reported armed carjacking.

Officers said they spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a stolen vehicle at the Family Dollar store before 8 pm on Friday, MSHP said on Twitter.

Police say that when they attempted to make contact with occupants in the vehicle, a man exited the vehicle and allegedly fled on foot and jumped over a gate but was apprehended.

Highway patrol said Hale exited the vehicle and fled to the store’s parking lot, where “two officers fired shots” MSHP said. Hale was seriously injured and was bleeding as she laid on the ground after telling officers that she was pregnant.

Shédanja, who was at the Dollar store with her three children says she witnessed officers opening fire on a pregnant woman who posed no threat.

The witness says when officers ordered Hale to get on the ground, she told them that she was pregnant. She also told police that there was a gun inside of the vehicle in question.

Police say they allegedly found a handgun at the scene.

Shédanja said Hale began backing up against a gate as several officers approached her with their guns drawn. Hale took three steps before she was shot 5 times, Shédanja told The Star.

There is an active investigation and the two officers who were involved in the shooting, have been placed on administrative leave.

Hale luckily survived and was placed in stable condition.