A pregnant woman and her Navy sailor husband are in critical condition, after being shot multiple times while trying to buy a cellphone via an app called OffersUp.
Frederick and Emily, of Portsmouth, Virginia, were using the personal sales app to buy a cellphone from robbers, posing as an 18-year-old girl.
But according to Frederick’s father, when they arrived to meet her, at least ten people swarmed their car before open-firing into their vehicle – hitting them both.
A pregnant woman and her Navy sailor husband are in critical condition, after being shot multiple times while trying to buy a cellphone via a selling app called OffersUp
The family believe the shooting was linked to a gang initiation attack, whereby would-be gang members prove their loyalty through the heinous crime.
‘My son just recently joined the Navy, his wife is pregnant and they were expecting their first child. He had the whole world ahead of him and someone just took it away in a matter of seconds,’ Frederick’s father told Fox13.
Emily’s parents say they tried to drive away but Frederick started screaming he couldn’t see.
He was shot through his arm, chest and head, while four months pregnant Emily was shot through the chest, just missing her heart.
According to Frederick’s father, when they arrived to meet her, at least ten people swarmed their car before open-firing into their vehicle – hitting them both
‘It missed her heart by centimeters, missed the baby and went out her right side,’ the father said.
After the attack it emerged Portsmouth Police were aware of several incidents reported concerning set-ups using the OfferUp app.
In May a father was shot and killed after meeting up to buy a cellphone listed on the app.
Now police have announced a new designated safe location for people to meet when they are buying or selling items.
The family believe the shooting was linked to a gang initiation attack, whereby would-be gang members prove their loyalty through the heinous crime
After the attack it emerged Portsmouth Police were aware of several incidents reported concerning set-ups using the OfferUp app
The pair’s family regret have said they wonder if their children’s injuries could have been avoided.
‘That’s one of the things I feel the police department dropped the ball on. The public should’ve been made aware of this several weeks ago,’ they said to WTkR.
The family said the couple refuse to be separated and have been side by side since Frederick got out of surgery.
The family said the couple refuse to be separated and have been side by side since Frederick got out of surgery
A GoFundMe page statement, written on behalf of the couple, said: ‘Last night, due to an unfortunate series of events, both Emily and Fred were shot.
‘They were waiting to meet with an individual to buy a cell phone, and were the end result of a suspected gang initiation shooting. As the individuals came up to their vehicle to sell the phone, they just started firing through the window.
‘Fred was shot in his face and chest and Emily was shot in her chest. They sped off as soon as the guys started firing and rushed themselves to the hospital.’
Adding: ‘As it stands Fred has lost one of his eyes and is in surgery to save his other.
‘Emily is suffering from collapsed lung, but she is in recovery and the baby is safe.’