[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Just horrifying.
A family in Missouri was reportedly caught in a terrifying road rage situation that ended with a pregnant woman being shot while her young child sat in the car. What is this world coming to?!?!
According to legal documents and local authorities as reported by TMZ and other news outlets on Wednesday, the frightening incident went down back on May 17 in St. Louis after a couple was allegedly cut off in traffic by two different vehicles near a QuikTrip gas station.
Police say the expecting mother, who was 11 weeks pregnant at the time, had just been leaving a prenatal appointment with her partner and their 2-year-old child when everything spiraled out of control. Investigators claim the family was driving when a black Honda when a Volkswagen sedan began driving recklessly and cut them off on the road.
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The woman’s partner allegedly confronted the drivers about their behavior before getting back into the car and attempting to leave the situation behind. But according to authorities, the nightmare didn’t end there. Cops claim the other vehicles followed the family after the confrontation — and that’s when shots were allegedly fired from one of the cars.
Investigators say the pregnant woman was struck in the upper back during the shooting. Her partner also reportedly suffered shell fragment injuries to his shoulder and chin as bullets damaged the family’s vehicle. And yes, their toddler was allegedly inside the car while all of this happened.
Absolutely chilling.
Authorities later identified a suspect as Anthony Lee-Armstrong. According to reports, the injured woman picked him out of a lineup and accused him not only of being the shooter, but also of allegedly making racist remarks toward her and her partner during the encounter. WTF?!
Even more shocking is how officials say portions of the violent incident may have been captured on surveillance cameras nearby, which could become key evidence as the case moves forward.
Lee-Armstrong is now facing multiple serious felony charges, including first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
What should have been a routine drive home from a doctor’s appointment turned into a life-threatening nightmare for this family. And all because of alleged road rage. Truly unbelievable.
To learn more about the impact of gun violence, visit https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/gun-violence.
For more information on violence against women, go to https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-for-survivors.
To learn more about civil rights issues, check out https://www.splcenter.org/.
[Image via City Of St. Louis Jail]
