A 17-year-old new mom was shot dead just three weeks after giving birth — with Texas cops now hunting the teenage father of her child for the murder.
Popular high school dancer Ikea Imari Hood, 17, was shot and killed around 10:40 a.m. Sunday in Oak Cliff, a Dallas neighborhood, police said in a statement.
Police issued a murder warrant the next day for Trevon Darnell Wright, who is also 17.
Police sources told WFAA that Wright was the father of Hood’s baby, which was born just three weeks ago, according to Fox 4.
Hood attended Lancaster High School and was a beloved member of the Tigerette Drill Team.
“I was absolutely devastated. I was in disbelief,” Nyree Preston, who runs Next Level Community Dance Group which Hood was a part of, told Fox 4.
Preston described Hood as being “like a dance daughter” to her.
“Ikea started my program in 2019. She was vibrant, just a radiant smile. She was always laughing, but most of all she was a hard worker,” Preston said. “She was always trying to learn the new dance deals, what was needed.”
Lancaster High School officials informed parents of the tragedy in an email Sunday night, noting they understood the news would make things difficult for students who were just returning to campus from winter break.
“On behalf of Lancaster High School and the entire Lancaster ISD community, we extend our deepest sympathy to the student’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
The school said it will have extra counselors on campus for “as long as they are needed” to help students through the loss.
