Pregnant woman shot in stomach, loses baby

(Trinidad Express) – A 23-year-old woman who was five months pregnant lost her child after she was shot twice in the stomach by a man at her home.

Doctors at the Sangre Grande Hospital, removed the five-month-old foetus from Princess Lakhan’s womb after she sustained two gunshot wounds.

The decision, police said, even though the foetus was not injured, was to save Lakhan’s life from the injuries she sustained.
The victim’s husband, Arnold Maloney, 30, was also shot by the same assailant, but managed to disarm the suspect and handed over a 9mm pistol used in the attack to police.

According to police around 9 pm on Monday, Lakhan and Maloney were cleaning out their shop located at their residence at Reid Lane, Toco Road, Sangre Grande, when the suspect approached and asked for a cigarette and a sheet of wrapping paper. Police said as Lakhan turned her back to get the items for the suspect, the man, who was armed with a gun, jumped a chain-linked fence and Lakhan began to run. As the victim turned around, police said, the man opened fire on her hitting her twice in the stomach.

Upon hearing gunfire, Maloney ran out of the parlour to Lakhan’s assistance and was shot in the shoulder and chest by the suspect.

Maloney, police said, managed to fight with the assailant, who dropped his pistol and escaped.

The police were notified and a team of officers from the Sangre Grande Task Force and CID led by Cpl Keith Leon immediately went to the scene.

Both Lakhan and Maloney were taken to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where they were treated and warded in stable condition.