Staten Island Man Charged With Murder For Shooting Pregnant Girlfriend

A man from Staten Island fatally shot his girlfriend who was pregnant Thursday, according to police authorities.

According to a report by NY Daily News, the perpetrator of the crime, Keith Jackson, 43, was charged with murder and illegal weapons possession.

Jackson’s girlfriend, Bridget Shenk, 35, was found dead post-midnight in her second-floor flat on Trantor Place near Walker Street in Port Richmond, Staten Island. She was shot in the chest in the hallway while she stumbled into her apartment where she finally succumbed to her injuries. At the time of the incident, Shenk was around three months pregnant, the report added.

The report also stated that Jackson's neighbors, who heard gunshot sound, informed the police. One of his neighbors named Ivory, during the investigation, told the police: “It was loud. We knew what it was. The cops rushed right in there.”

The neighbor also added that her daughter dialed 911 and informed police about the incident. Upon reaching the crime scene, the police arrested Jackson and also recovered a .40-caliber handgun along with a .40-caliber shell casing.

According to unnamed sources, this was not the first time police had visited the couple's apartment. On three previous occasions, the police had been called to the scene due to the couple’s domestic troubles.

During the investigation when the police spoke to the couple's neighbors, Ivory told them that she recently had a conversation with Shenk on Wednesday when the latter expressed excitement at the prospect of becoming a mother.

“We were just talking to each other in the hallway. We were just talking about the gas and I asked her how's the baby coming along. She [Shenk] was very happy about it,” Ivory said recalling her conversation with Shenk.

In her statement to the police, Ivory also mentioned that Shenk spoke about Jackson on very rare occasions and that he was staying with Shenk for around a year.

“I've seen him,” said Ivory, with regards to Jackson. “He just looked spacey,” she added. She also said that Jackson had “no reason” to kill Shenk.

“I hate him [Jackson] now,” said Ivory. She continued, “He needs to be away for life.”

According to a report, Ivory’s son called up Shenk’s brother to inform him of the incident. “He was distraught,” said Ivory, regarding Shenk’s brother. She added, “That's such a tragedy that happened to her. It's just such a loss.”

Police stated that they weren’t sure of what was the reason for the argument which ultimately led to the death of Shenk, according to a report by New York Post.

Dorothy McLeod, Shenk's mother reportedly stated that her daughter was three months pregnant. “She [Shenk] always wanted a child. He [Jackson] didn't want a child,” said McLeod.

“When they found out she was pregnant, she was so excited. I went with her on Monday to the doctor,” she added.

McLeod also said that Jackson and her daughter were talking about separating. Shenk reportedly “was trying to establish a better life for her child.”

According to McLeod, she had a conversation with Shenk on Wednesday where the victim did not mention any problems with regards to Jackson adding that the couple also had no known incidents of domestic violence.