By MITCHELL ARMENTROUT
Chicago Sun-Times Wire
Parasha M. Beard will never get to see her new baby, but doctors were able to save the infant after the mother was shot to death Sunday evening in South Chicago.
A man who was wounded in the shooting was in critical condition, according to the Chicago Fire Department. It was not known whether he was the baby’s father.
Shortly after 6 p.m., the 19-year-old Beard and 26-year-old man were sitting in a car that was parked in the 8700 block of South Marquette, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Another vehicle pulled alongside them and a gunman, described only a male with dreadlocks, opened fire, authorities said.
Beard was shot in the neck, and the man suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and chest, police said.
Both were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where Beard was pronounced dead at 6:52 p.m., authorities said. Her home address was unknown.
Law enforcement sources said she was about eight months pregnant, and the baby was delivered. Family members said Beard was due in December.
The baby, a girl named “Miracle” by family members, weighed only 2 pounds, but was in “stable” condition at Comer Children’s Hospital, according to family members.