Arizona man accused of fatally shooting pregnant teenage girlfriend in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - A murder case that stretches from Arizona to California has left a teenage girl dead and an unborn child clinging to life. 

What we know:

An Arizona man is accused of traveling to San Diego to kill his pregnant girlfriend.

The San Diego Police Department received an emergency call early this morning reporting that a pregnant 17-year-old Arizona teen had been shot in the head. The shooting occurred while the victim was vacationing with her family in the Bay Park neighborhood.

What they're saying:

"It's just very shocking," said Judy Crawford, a Bay Park resident. "It's just so sad."

Dig deeper:

The teenage victim was rushed to a local hospital following the attack. Doctors were able to save the life of her baby through an emergency C-section, but the teenager died from her injuries.

In an update released on June 7, the police department said, "the newborn, who had suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury, passed away. The San Diego Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the neonatal intensive care unit staff at Rady Children’s Hospital for the care they provided and their extraordinary efforts to save her life."

The suspect, 21-year-old Trevon Williams, was taken into custody in a nearby neighborhood after initially running away from the scene of the shooting. Williams has been booked on multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

In addition to the homicide charges, Williams was also charged with possessing a machine gun. 

What's next:

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in court next week.

Understanding Teen Dating and Domestic Violence

The tragic incident highlights a critical issue regarding relationship safety for young people. Experts note that pregnancy and youth can significantly escalate the risk of domestic conflict.

"We know that younger kids tend to experience domestic violence more," said Tanner Swanson, Marketing Director for A New Leaf, an organization that provides domestic violence resources. According to Swanson, teen dating violence remains a major issue in Arizona.

"When a gun is introduced into the situation, an abusive situation that hasn't had any physical abuse can very quickly turn deadly," Swanson explained.

The Impact of Pregnancy on Relationships

Domestic violence often spikes during periods of heightened stress and uncertainty within a home, and a pregnancy can drastically contribute to those pressures.

"When it's stressful, you have to figure out childcare," Swanson said, noting custody becomes a flashpoint during breakups. "There's a lot of fear around that type of stuff."

Furthermore, logistical and financial hurdles often prevent young women from leaving abusive dynamics while pregnant.

"How am I going to pay the bills alone as a teenager? I need to figure this out with this person even though they're hurting me — and that's not the type of situation that you ever want anybody to be in," Swanson noted.

Domestic Violence Resources

If you believe you are a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text START to 88788. A live online chat is also available.

Often it is difficult to know where to find help for Domestic Violence. Here you will find resources such as shelters, safety plans and other information.

Arizona Department of Economic Security - Domestic Violence Services

City of Phoenix Domestic Violence Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse: thehotline.org and phoenix.gov.

Domestic Violence Resources and Referrals

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