Pregnant woman shot
and killed in Frankford

Philadelphia police have arrested a man who they claim shot a pregnant woman to death and wounded her boyfriend in a Frankford street on Jan. 31.
Doctors at Temple University Hospital saved the baby of Emine Hajredinaj, 20, of the 1500 block of Overington St., by delivering the child 12 weeks premature by an emergency caesarean-section surgery. The mother died on the operating table, however, about a half hour after she was wounded in the back by a shotgun blast.
On Feb. 20, the alleged gunman, Tyree Bass, 23, address unknown, surrendered at Police Headquarters while accompanied by his attorney, said Capt. Michael Costello, commander of the homicide division.
Detectives believe that Hajredinaj and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Kevin Cook, drove to the 4600 block of Griscom St. at about 1:15 p.m. and parked. Bass apparently ambushed them inside the car, firing the shotgun into the vehicle, police said.
Cook suffered critical wounds to the chest and arms and was treated at Temple University Hospital. He survived.
The shooter ran from the scene. Detectives identified Bass as the suspect days later with the help of witness accounts, Costello said. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Investigators remain uncertain of a motive, but believe the shooting followed a series of confrontations Bass had with Hajredinaj stemming from his dispute with the victim’s sister, Costello said.
Police believe that Bass prepared several Molotov cocktails that were found at the scene.
He is charged with murder, multiple counts of attempted murder and assault, weapons crimes and related offenses, including those committed against the unborn child.
His preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 27. ••