Pregnant Woman Shot 4 Times

A woman and her unborn child are expected to survive after being shot four times in Emerald Hills on Thursday night.

Alicia Hennis, 27, plays in the local band Rising Star and had performed earlier that night at Trophy Lounge in National City. She had stopped in a cul-de-sac near Emerald Hills Park to talk with the the band's drummer and unwind after the show before picking up her son in the neighborhood. The band's manager, Efren Sicat, said the drummer followed Hennis home in his car to make sure she was safe, as have other band members in the past.

The two came in separate vehicles but were sitting together in one car when two men walked out of the park toward their vehicle. They opened fire, hitting Hennis, who is seven months pregnant, three times in the chest and once in the lower back. Police said six shots were fired in all. The men then took off running.

Hennis' male companion called 911 after the shooting. Officers helped to save Hennis' life until medics arrived and transported her to a local hospital.

Officers said that prior to the shooting, the band's drummer became suspicious of the two suspects who had emerged from the park -- and attempted to shield Hennis

"He hugged the female just as one or the other of the males lifted a handgun and fired approximately six rounds in the direction of the male and the female," Lt. David Rohowits said.

The shooting happened in the 5700 block of Old Memory Lane. San Diego police launched a helicopter to search the area for the two suspects, checked several possible vehicles and scoured the park, but they were unable to locate the suspects.

Sicat said Hennis is a classical pianist, and a great vocalist and entertainer. He added that the drummer was grazed in the arm but will perform Friday night with the band as scheduled.

As of Friday afternoon, police said they had no motive for the shooting.