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31st May 2022

Police shot unarmed, pregnant Black woman five times, witness in Missouri claims

Kieran Galpin

She was unarmed

An eye-witness in America has claimed that police officers shot an unarmed pregnant black woman five times as she attempted to flee.

Leonna Hale was suspected of carrying out a carjacking with a male accomplice when police officers stopped her in Kansas City. While the unnamed man was able to escape, Hale, 26, was “shot five times” as she attempted to flee officers who demanded she get on the ground.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), officers were called to the parking area of a Family Dollar store on Friday, where they found Hale and a man breaking into a car.

An eye-witness, known only as Shedanja, told the Kansas City Star that Hale held her hands up and complied with law enforcement. She also informed them of a gun in the car.

“She did not pull out a weapon on them,” Shedanja told the Star. “She did not even have a stick in her hand.”

The officers reportedly demanded that Hale gets on the ground but she told them she was pregnant and explained why she couldn’t do so. Shedanja said she panicked and eventually tried to run as the police approached with their firearms drawn.

“They shot five times,” Shedanja said. “I remember seeing her hit the ground and I froze.

“One, two, three, four, five.

“I remember it because it didn’t stop.”

Speaking to reporters regarding the incident, KCPD chief Joseph Mabin said they “never want to be in these types of situations.”

He continued: “Not the public, not the police department. Any time anything happens like this, it’s a blight on our community. I want to assure the public that the scene is secure. There’s no ongoing threat. The Highway Patrol will be investigating this incident.

“We’re committed to being 100% transparent, and fully cooperating with the Highway Patrol.”

Hale suffered serious injuries but is stable in the hospital.

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