A tragic incident unfolded in Arizona as a pregnant teenager was allegedly killed by her boyfriend after she refused to terminate her pregnancy, her family reported. The young girl, 16-year-old Rylee Montgomery from Buckeye, a suburb near Phoenix, became aware of her pregnancy in February. Sadly, her life was cut short just before reaching the 14-week mark.
Authorities have apprehended her boyfriend, 18-year-old Michael Isiah Sanchez, on charges related to the deaths of both Montgomery and her unborn child. Furthermore, Sanchez is accused of injuring two additional individuals, including another pregnant woman, during the incident.
Montgomery’s family expressed their concerns over what they described as previous threats Sanchez made against Rylee. They claimed that he had threatened to take her life hours before the tragic shooting. Despite their fears, the family felt that law enforcement did not act swiftly enough to provide protection, as they shared with AZ Central.
“They could have stopped it,” said Amy Montgomery, Rylee’s stepmother. She recalled a chilling exchange where Sanchez allegedly insisted, “You’re gonna [expletive] kill it,” to which Rylee firmly responded, “No, I am not.” The family described Sanchez’s behavior as ‘psychotic,’ highlighting the dire need for timely intervention that might have saved their daughter’s life.
‘They could have stopped it,’ her stepmother, Amy Montgomery, told the outlet.
‘[Sanchez] was just psychotic. First thing he told her was “You’re gonna [expletive] kill it,” and she says: “No, I am not,”‘ she recalled.
Montgomery was visiting friends at an Elwood Street home when Sanchez allegedly shot her around 8pm on Thursday, AZ Central reported.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene while a 17-year-old pregnant girl and a 22-year-old woman were also injured, Buckeye Police said.
Rylee Montgomery, of Buckeye, near Phoenix, was allegedly shot and killed by her boyfriend, Michael Isiah Sanchez, 18, on Thursday
Sanchez allegedly shot Montgomery after she refused to get an abortion
The 17-year-old, who was friends with Montgomery, reportedly went into an emergency delivery at 25 weeks, Amy told AZ Central. Both she and her newborn son survived.
The new mom was allegedly shot in the back and ‘nearly bled out,’ the family wrote on GoFundMe.
The 22-year-old was allegedly shot three times, the family claimed.
The two injured women have a ‘long road to recovery ahead of them,’ police spokesperson Carissa Planalp said at a press conference.
The Montgomery family claimed they consistently reported Sanchez to Avondale Police Department on multiple occasions and they were told to get an order of protection against him.
The family has accused the police of failing them, as they allegedly only suggested Montgomery take out a restraining order against her boyfriend.
‘That’s a paper,’ Amy said while wiping away tears, AZ Central reported. ‘Go get him.’
Just four hours before the shooting, Montgomery called Avondale Police and reported that Sanchez threatened to kill her and sent her a photo with a gun held to his temple, AZ Central reported.
Montgomery was going to have a baby girl, whom she planned on naming Erica after her dad Eric, who she is pictured with
Montgomery allegedly reported Sanchez’s ‘psychotic’ behavior to his hometown police on multiple times
Amy said they were told: ‘”We’ll look it up and add it to the report.”‘
Montgomery previously filed against Sanchez accusing him of pulling a gun on her on March 12, according to records viewed by AZ Central.
Montgomery reportedly also spoke with Avondale Police on April 22, where she allegedly presented detectives with a 13-page document showing text messages her boyfriend had sent.
Amy believes the police did not do enough to save Montgomery and were not responsive enough.
‘Our girl would still be right here with us,’ she said.
Amy said the family initially liked Sanchez and that he seemed like a ‘nice guy’ who would be a ‘good match’ for their daughter.
‘She seemed really happy with him,’ Amy told the outlet.
But he allegedly switched up his behavior after learning he was going to be a dad.
Sanchez also faces charges for shooting two other women, including a 17-year-old pregnant girl, who was friends with Montgomery
When she broke up with him in March, he allegedly pointed a gun at her and told her ‘she wasn’t allowed,’ the family wrote in a GoFundMe.
‘He would go through her phone and delete all her male contacts, even her family members,’ the family wrote.
Sanchez appeared in court on Friday, showing very little emotion and only asking if he could notify his parents about his upcoming court date, AZ Central reported.
The teen is currently being held without bond, as he was on release under house arrest for a separate felony charge at the time.
Montgomery’s family accused him of tampering with his ankle monitor to reach their daughter. He is facing a charge for interfering with a monitoring device.
Sanchez is expected back in court on May 26.
The family started a GoFundMe to fund funeral expenses. It has reached nearly $5,000 of its $7,000 goal.
The family remembers Montgomery as a girl who ‘saw the good in everyone’
Amy said the family claimed officers were not responsive enough
‘Our sweet Rylee. Our best girl. The one who would do anything for anyone,’ the family wrote.
‘The one who saw good in everyone. The stuffie collector. The hoodie wearer even in 120F weather. The pajama bottoms lover. The girlie girl. Lover of all things with fur or feathers.’
The family had been preparing for a gender reveal party in June. The family only discovered Montgomery was expecting a girl after her death.
The baby would have been named Erica Kathleen, after her father Eric and her grandmother.
‘Michael stole our girl and granddaughter from us. He broke our hearts completely. He ripped our souls to shreds,’ the family wrote.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Avondale Police Department for comment.
