Pregnant woman shot, killed in BR

Police arrested a 33-year-old man Tuesday accused in the fatal shooting of his 21-year-old pregnant girlfriend during a domestic dispute on Madison Avenue, a police spokesman said.

Adam Sterling, 3615 Chippewa St., Baton Rouge, was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on one count each of second-degree murder, first-degree feticide, illegal use of a weapon and convicted felon in possession of a weapon, Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said in a news release.

Sterling is accused of shooting Shylah Hicks multiple times in the upper torso around noon outside her home at 1724 Madison Ave., near Madison and 18th Street, McKneely said.

Hicks, who was five months pregnant, was taken to a hospital where she and her unborn baby later died, McKneely said.

Sterling ran away after the shooting but detectives arrested him around 3 p.m., McKneely said.

The pair had a history of domestic abuse and got into arguments as recently as within the past two days, McKneely said.

Police are unsure how long the couple had been dating, McKneely said.

East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court Office records do not show any previous arrests of Sterling in his relationship with Hicks, but Sterling had a prior history of domestic abuse in another relationship.

Sterling was arrested in May 2010 and accused of domestic abuse battery of another woman, records show.

He was accused in that incident of hitting the woman in the head and biting her right ear before taking her keys and driving away in her car, an arrest warrant says.

Sterling pleaded guilty in Aug. 2010 to simple battery in that case and was sentenced to six months in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with credit for time served, court records show.

Tamekia Jones, 22, a friend of the victim, said Hicks, who went by the nickname “Nikki,” had been dating Sterling for “a hot minute.”

Jones said Hicks and Sterling had ongoing domestic issues.

“He just beat her up yesterday,” she said.

Comments

1) Comment by markedwardmarchiafava - 26/09/2012

What type of person equates education with murder?

2) Comment by DMJ - 26/09/2012

Since someone brought up abortion.... if the mother of the killer had gotten an abortion, her thug son wouldn't have killed his pregnant girlfriend, now would he? People pontificate about the breakdown of the family and fatherless children and babies having babies, yet they're against subsidizing birth control, comprehensive sex education and abortion. You can't be against drought and rain at the same time.

3) Comment by Chucky - 26/09/2012

ABayouBoy- A long time in jail a very long time not the in and out, now that is money well spent and a tax i can vote for. Will start looking at Judges and their sentences

4) Comment by ABayouBoy - 26/09/2012

Baton Rouge needs a Zoo. Remember that Buckskin Bill saying? Well, maybe we should be building more - a place to stay for the animals roaming the streets. We need to get tougher on crime in BR. If new jails are needed, then build them. The biggest deterrent to crime is making the perps accountable, and mete out punishment as necessary. I hope that the judges and criminal lawyers are getting this message.

5) Comment by CitizensArrest - 25/09/2012

Mark, as someone who has taken such pride and ownership of enforcing the law to the letter, I'd think even you could realize that when a doctor does what you speak of it is not a crime...regardless of whether you think it should be. Have you ever made a comment that was on point or relevant to the discussion? Or is it all just baiting? What does this story have to do with abortion?

6) Comment by markedwardmarchiafava - 25/09/2012

It's tragic how the shooter here can be charged with infanticide, but a state-approved and licensed "doctor" can kill the same baby, get PAID for his crime and walk.

7) Comment by Chucky - 25/09/2012

Hey Kip two dead, Kipnotize us that crime is not an issue in BR. You have let it get out of control, thought after your neighbor was killed things would turn around but no getting worst and spreading.

8) Comment by CitizensArrest - 25/09/2012

These details were available earlier from another local news source. "Police are on the scene of a shooting at 1724 Madison Avenue in North Baton Rouge. Emergency responders say the victim is pregnant and was shot several times in the chest. Her condition is described as very critical. The shooting happened just before noon. A friend of the victim tells WBRZ News2, she is 21-years-old and six months pregnant. The only description of the suspect right now is someone wearing black pants with a white stripe and a light blue hoodie."

9) Comment by CitizensArrest - 25/09/2012

There is a Madison Ave. in North Baton Rouge... no Madison Street.