A pregnant Long Island woman who tragically lost twin boys at birth last year and was joyously awaiting another baby in December was shot dead in front of her home, authorities said Sunday.
The bullet-riddled body of Milagro “Millie” Canjura, 31, was found inside her 2011 Toyota Camry in Bay Shore at about 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Suffolk County police said.
Canjura was rushed to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where she and her unborn daughter were both pronounced dead.
The victim lived by herself in a basement apartment in the 1700 block of Stein Drive. Her husband has been in prison, neighbors said.
“She would always see my kids and hug them and cry. I would tell her, ‘Don’t lose hope. You’re going to have one one day.’ And finally, this pregnancy. She went through it, and it was fine,” said a neighbor who lives above her.
The neighbor said Canjura called her about an hour before the shooting asking if she had any mail. Canjura would eagerly await letters from her jailed husband, the woman said.
The neighbor said Canjura then came by to pick up what was there, and “it was not even two minutes later when we heard [shots].”
“My mom came to peek, and [Milagro’s car] windows were shattered. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, Millie just got shot.’ I didn’t see her move,” said the woman, who declined to give her name.
Police refused to discuss the investigation into the death Sunday, as detectives went door to door in the neighborhood seeking any witnesses.
“She had a previous pregnancy where she lost twins” at birth Sept. 4, 2013, the neighbor said.
She was “very excited’’ about the new baby, whom she had already named Kamila, she said.
A friend of Canjura’s dropped by the house because she couldn’t believe the tragic news.
“I just heard about this and didn’t think it was true. I needed to know if it was true or not,” said the tearful friend, who gave only her first name, Jenny.
“She was having a baby, she was pregnant. It’s very hard for us to go through the shocking thing. It is very hurtful.”
Angie Montano posted on Facebook: “My cousin Milagro Vasquez-Canjura was shot six times and killed yesterday . . . Words can’t ever explain why someone would do such a thing.’’
A friend, Flaco Ramirez, also wrote on Facebook, “Rest in peace little friend. I don’t know how someone so cruel and without heart could take such a great person. May God keep you and your baby.”
Mey-Clarivel Romero added, “My god, how can someone be so evil to do such a barbaric thing as this.’’
Additional reporting by David K. Li