Milwaukee police shot an 18-year-old pregnant woman, killing her unborn child, after chasing a vehicle that was suspected in a carjacking earlier Thursday, the police department said.
Officers tried to stop the stolen vehicle with six suspects around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, and the pursuit ended when the driver moved into a construction lane and got stuck behind a cement truck and the construction work, the police said.
As officers approached, they ordered the passengers out of the vehicle, but the driver put it in reverse and slammed into a cruiser twice while an officer was standing behind it.
Another officer at the scene fired into the vehicle hitting two people, striking the pregnant woman who received "life threatening injuries."
"The baby did not survive," police said in a statement.
The other teen shot sustained serious injuries.
The four others in the vehicle - ranging in age from 15 to 18 - were also taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman pleaded with parents to monitor their children.
"As we're embarking on summertime, it is imperative to understand, 'Where are our children?' As we hear in this particular situation, we have multiple young people involved in unacceptable behavior in this city. This is unacceptable. Parents, what is going on with your children?" he said at a news conference Thursday.
The 25-year-old officer who fired his weapon, a four-year veteran of the force, was placed on administrative duty.
The suspects, who were arrested, were being pursued in connection to an attempted armed robbery and carjacking and an armed robbery and carjacking.
Police said a firearm was found in the vehicle.
The investigation is continuing.
