Illinois Man Charged in Pregnant Woman’s Death

An Illinois man is currently in custody following the shooting death of a pregnant woman, which occurred as she returned home from a doctor’s appointment. This tragic event is being investigated as a possible road rage incident.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 19-year-old Anthony Lee Armstrong, who faces several serious charges. These include first-degree assault and armed criminal action, relating to the shooting that took place on May 17 in St. Louis.

Reports indicate that the situation escalated after police received a 911 call from a woman who claimed that two vehicles, both containing white males, shot at her car while she was driving with a young child. The incident unfolded near Russell Boulevard and South Jefferson Avenue, where a Volkswagen sedan and a Honda nearly collided with her vehicle.

After this near-miss, police say the male passenger from the victim’s car confronted the other drivers before they began following the family’s vehicle. As they attempted to evade the two cars, an unknown number of shots were fired.

The female victim, who was 11 weeks pregnant at the time, shared with police that she was on her way home from a prenatal appointment when she suddenly heard gunfire and felt sharp pain in her back. When officers arrived, they found her injured with a gunshot wound to the upper back. The male victim had shrapnel injuries, and the vehicle also sustained considerable damage.

Both individuals were subsequently hospitalized for their injuries.

Surveillance footage obtained by investigators showed the two vehicles tailing the family’s car and gunshots coming from the Volkswagen sedan. This evidence later linked Armstrong to the incident, as a license plate reader identified him as the owner of the vehicle involved.

Furthermore, the female victim was able to identify Armstrong in a lineup, stating that he had made “racist comments” toward her and her companion during the altercation.

Armstrong was arrested on May 23, facing multiple charges: two counts of first-degree assault, four counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful weapon use, and first-degree criminal damage to property. He is currently being held without bail, according to court documents.

Law enforcement has reached out to the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office for additional comments on the ongoing investigation.