A pregnant woman of Indian origin has died after being shot through the stomach with a crossbow.
Thirty-five-year-old Sana Muhammad, also known as Devi Unmathallegadoo, was eight months pregnant when she was shot by a crossbow allegedly by her former partner at her home in Ilford, in east London on Monday morning.
She was rushed to emergency where doctors conducted an emergency Caesarean section to save her unborn infant boy.
The baby is in a stable condition but Ms Muhammad died from her injuries.
Her husband, Imtiaz Muhammad, 42, told the Evening Standard that the man was hiding in their garden shed before he attacked his wife.
“He was there with the crossbow loaded. He stared at me, he was going to shoot so I ran into the house,” said Mr Muhammad.
“My wife was doing the washing up, I was shouting ‘run, run, run’. He shot her. I can’t help thinking she took my arrow,” he said.
Sana had three children from a previous relationship. She married Mr Muhammad six years ago and had two children with him. She was eight months pregnant with her sixth child at the time of her death.
“Suspect and victim were known to each other”
Metropolitan Police have arrested and charged 50-year-old Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo with Ms Muhammad’s murder.
Police said the arrested man and woman were known to each other.
DCI Gary Holmes, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, leading the investigation, said; "This is a tragic incident and our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends of the victim.
“The victim was found suffering an abdominal injury. She was taken to hospital where she later died.
“He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 15 November,” the police said in a statement.
