A pregnant woman was found shot at a Phoenix motel just east of Interstate 17 and Thomas Road early Monday and later died at the hospital, but medical staff were able to save her baby, police said. Officials have not released the infant’s condition as detectives work behind crime-scene tape to figure out what unfolded inside the motel.
Phoenix Fire crews were called just after 6 a.m. Monday to the motel near the freeway, according to ABC15 Arizona. First responders found the woman with a gunshot wound and rushed her to a hospital, where she later died. ABC15 reports her name and age have not been released, and there is still no word on a possible suspect as detectives continue to comb through the scene.
Area Has Seen Recent Motel Shootings
The stretch around Thomas Road and I-17 has already been on police radar in recent weeks. In mid-May, Phoenix police’s special assignments unit moved in on a room at a Motel 6 near the same interchange after a shooting left a man with life-threatening injuries; two people were detained, as detailed in a tactical team detains two report. The spike in law-enforcement activity has residents and motel guests openly questioning how safe that freeway corridor really is.
Investigation Underway
Phoenix detectives have taken over the case and are working to piece together a timeline of the shooting, ABC15 Arizona reports. Officials have not released the victim’s identity and have not said whether anyone is in custody. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive.
Context: Pregnant Victims In Recent Cases
This killing is one of several recent Valley cases in which pregnant people were among those harmed. In mid-May, a shooting in Buckeye left a pregnant teenager dead along with her unborn child and injured others, according to Arizona's Family. Taken together, these incidents have amplified community concern about gun violence and its toll on families across Maricopa County.
Police had not released further details as of Monday. This story will be updated as officials provide more information.
