LAKEVILLE, Minn. — A worker at the Amazon fulfillment center in Lakeville called 911 Sunday evening during a shift change to report a shooting in the parking lot.
When police arrived they found 31-year-old Kyla O'Neal, who was nearly full term pregnant, in a car with a gunshot wound.
"When we have a situation where a pregnant female has been critically injured, it just adds another whole layer of stress and emotion to that call. Because we've got another human being we're trying to save as well," said Commander William Gerl of the Lakeville Police Department.
They rushed O'Neal to HCMC. She did not survive. But doctors there were able to deliver the baby -- who is living.
Commander said a 32-year-old man who worked at the Amazon warehouse was arrested.
"He was with the female victim and that's about all we can say about his involvement at this time," Commander Gerl said.
KARE 11 News isn't naming the suspect until he is charged, but he's being held on suspicion of manslaughter which has differences in intent from murder.
His criminal record shows a judge ordered in May that he not possess any firearms because of a criminal conviction.
According to court records, he and the victim also already had a young child together, meaning that young girl lost her mother -- the same day a new sibling was born.
"We don't know the condition of the baby, but we're all hoping the baby is doing well and is able to survive and thrive and that will be a miracle and great news if that happens," Commander Gerl said.
O'Neal's friend Destiny Hicks described her as a positive ray of light in her life.
"She was an entrepreneur and was studying to be a nurse. She was passionate about everything she did. Especially hair. There wasn’t an evil or disingenuous bone in her body. She was always willing to listen when I needed her. I loved her and I loved her energy whenever I was around her," Hicks said.
O'Neal leaves behind four children, including the baby delivered in her death.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is assisting in the investigation.
KARE 11 will update this story as more details are made available.
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