‘She was my best friend’: Pregnant teen shot, killed on family trip; baby left in critical condition

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) — An Arizona teen who lost her life in a shooting over the weekend while on a family trip in San Diego is being remembered by her loved ones.

Friends say Jariah Edwards was eight months pregnant when she was shot. Her baby girl was left in critical condition, with the man police arrested in connection with her death facing felony charges.

The people who knew Edwards best say they want everyone to remember the 17-year-old as a young woman excited to become a mom.

“She was my best friend, but we were all very close to her,” Amara Corley said.

Jamila Corley added, “She just had a natural nurturing energy to her.”

A nurturing energy that her friends say was about to play a big role in her next chapter in life.

“She was just ready to finally meet her and see what she looks like,” Amara Corley said.

Instead, her loved ones have been left planning her funeral and setting up a GoFundMe in her name.

San Diego police say Jariah Edwards was shot outside a vacation rental just after 1 a.m. Saturday.

Doctors delivered her baby by emergency C-section before the 17-year-old died at the hospital.

Friends say Jariah Edward’s world revolved around her unborn daughter, a daughter now fighting for her own life.

“She was so excited. I feel like it gave her something to look forward to. Just all the stress and stuff, especially with that relationship,” Amara Corley said.

Authorities said Jariah Edward’s boyfriend, identified as 21-year-old Trevon Williams, was the man taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

Williams was said to have traveled separately to San Diego. Jariah Edward’s friends said she was lured outside with flowers by him. They described Williams as a controlling boyfriend.

“He literally drained the happiness from her,” Samaya Corley said.

Williams left the scene following the shooting before eventually being arrested. He is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Jail records show he was being held without bond.

“We didn’t get enough time with her. Like no justice, no amount of years will make up for him taking her life away,” Jamila Corley said.