A Louisiana man was arrested after he allegedly shot a killed a pregnant 17-year-old and her unborn child on Saturday.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said Chad Blackard, 23, was sitting in the back of a car that was driving on Siegen Lane when he got a gun from its holster and hung it from the passenger seat. Blackard was mentioning how the gun “outperforms” a gun owned by another passenger when he mistakingly squeezed the trigger while repositioning the weapon, according to The Advocate.
The single bullet Blackard allegedly fired traveled through the front passenger seat and fatally shot Karrington Smith, 17, in the back. The driver reportedly pulled into a nearby parking lot and called 911.
Smith, who was 25-weeks pregnant, eventually succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Her unborn child also died as a result of Saturday’s shooting.
Before Smith died, she reportedly told authorities that the gun was in her purse when it fired. However, an investigation revealed Blackard had fired the gun, The Advocate reported.
According to WBRZ, Blackard eventually admitted that the gun “went off” as he tried to reposition it. He reportedly also said he possibly squeezed the trigger while “readjusting it.”
Blackard was charged with negligent homicide, feticide, and illegal use of weapons.
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[Featured image: Karrington Smith/Facebook; Chad Blackard/East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office]
