PA man kills 9-months pregnant girlfriend with shotgun blast to face, says it was an accident

Doctors in central Pennsylvania delivered a baby during emergency surgery on a pregnant woman shortly before she died from a shotgun wound.

Police said 25-year-old Denver Blough told them he had accidentally shot his girlfriend, 23-year-old Caressa Kovalcik, during an argument Saturday at the Windber apartment they shared with their 11-month-old son.

Kovalcik died after delivering the child she had been carrying for nine months, reported The (Johnstown) Tribune Democrat, and the baby was flown to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for additional care.

“What’s going to happen to my baby?” Blough asked state police as they took him into custody.

Blough, who worked for an asphalt company, was charged with criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault charges, and other charges.

Police said Blough admitted he accidentally shot his girlfriend during an argument.

He told investigators he broke his 20-gauge shotgun into two pieces, separating the barrel from the stock, in a fit of rage.

Blough took the barrel assembly to the kitchen to show Kovalcik, and it discharged in her face, police said.

Doctors have not released any details about the infant’s condition.

The couple’s landlords said they were model tenants, adding that Blough once mentioned that he carefully kept his ammunition in a separate room from his weapon.

“Something went horribly wrong that day,” said landlord Rose Petrunak. “And the shame is it’s too late to do anything about it. You can’t take it back.”

Watch this video report posted online by WTAE-TV: