Jariah Edwards’ baby survived after an emergency delivery following the attack.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Friends and relatives are mourning 17-year-old Jariah Edwards, a pregnant Phoenix teen who was shot and killed during a family trip to San Diego while her newborn daughter remained in critical condition.
San Diego police said Edwards was about eight months pregnant when she was shot early Saturday outside a rental home on Gardena Avenue. Her boyfriend, 21-year-old Trevon Williams, was arrested after officers found him near the scene. He faces allegations tied to Edwards’ death and the injuries to her baby.
The shooting was reported shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday. Police said officers arrived within minutes and found Edwards unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics took her to a hospital, where doctors performed an emergency cesarean section. The baby survived, but Edwards died from her injuries. “Honestly, when I first found out, that was just the most heartbreaking thing to ever hear,” friend Amara Corley said.
Police said Edwards had been staying with family at a short-term rental in San Diego. Investigators said Williams traveled separately from Arizona and met her outside the home before the shooting. He allegedly fled after the gunfire and was later found hiding near September Street. Authorities said the case is being handled as a homicide investigation, with an attempted murder allegation connected to the newborn.
Friends described Edwards as kind, sarcastic and full of life. Amara Corley said Edwards always made people laugh. Jamila Corley said Edwards had a nurturing spirit and was preparing for motherhood with excitement. Friends also said Edwards had been trying to move forward from a difficult relationship, but police had not released a full account of the events leading up to the shooting.
The killing left two communities grieving: Phoenix, where Edwards lived, and San Diego, where the family trip turned violent. Relatives said Edwards was close to her mother, sister and friends. A fundraiser set up by the family said money would help cover funeral expenses and medical costs for the newborn girl, who was still fighting for her life.
Williams’ arrest came about two hours after the shooting. Police said detectives continued collecting evidence and speaking with witnesses. Reports said a firearm was recovered after his arrest, though authorities had not released a complete evidence summary. Prosecutors were expected to determine the formal charges and next court steps.
For Edwards’ friends, the focus remained on the teen they knew before the violence. They said she was excited to see what her daughter would look like and had been counting down the weeks before birth. “She was funny. We always laughed,” Amara Corley said.
The newborn remained hospitalized Tuesday, and the homicide investigation was ongoing. Police had not released all details about the motive or the full timeline before the shooting.
Author note: Last updated June 2, 2026.