A young mother’s life was cut incredibly short in the most heartbreaking way imaginable. Shakiya Pridgen was only 23 years old and just days away from giving birth to her third child. She was sleeping peacefully in her own bed when a sudden burst of violence took everything away from her and her family.
The horrific incident took place early Tuesday morning just before 6 a.m. Shakiya was tucked into bed inside her home at the Woods at Peppertree Apartments on Peppertree Circle. Out of nowhere, someone approached the bedroom window from the outside and started shooting directly through the glass.
Shakiya was not alone in that bed. Her two young children, a 1-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl, were sleeping right next to her when the bullets started flying. Multiple rounds ripped through the room and hit Shakiya several times while she lay completely defenseless.
This beautiful young woman was nine months pregnant and eagerly counting down the days to welcome her new baby boy. Just two days earlier on Sunday, her family and closest friends had gathered to throw her a joyful baby shower. She had already named her unborn son Kyren and was so excited to expand her little family.
First responders rushed to the scene after getting the emergency call and found Shakiya suffering from terrible gunshot wounds. Paramedics did everything they could to save her life as they raced her to a nearby hospital. Tragically, the injuries were just too severe, and doctors pronounced both Shakiya and baby Kyren dead.
Miraculously, her two toddlers did not get hit by any of the flying bullets during the attack. However, the poor children are deeply traumatized by the horrific noise and the loss of their mother right in front of them. Relatives have stepped in immediately to wrap them in love and take care of them during this nightmare.
Shakiya’s father broke down in tears when talking to local reporters, describing his daughter as a sweet, caring soul with a genuinely good heart. The entire neighborhood is completely devastated by this senseless act of violence against an innocent mother. The family is refusing to let her memory fade and is vowing to fight every single day until they get justice for Shakiya and baby Kyren.
