Nationwide — Brynnlee Hampton, a 15-year-old African American girl from Amarillo, Texas, was shot and killed on New Year’s Day while riding in a car. Police said the shooting happened after a teen inside the vehicle was playing with a firearm.
The incident occurred around 1:10 a.m. on Westwind Avenue. According to WLBT, officers responded to a call about a woman who had been shot and found Hampton with life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.
An affidavit says multiple witnesses reported that a teenage boy inside the car was handling a gun. He waved it around and pointed it at passengers. The teen driver initially thought she heard a firework before realizing Hampton had been shot.
Inside the vehicle, police found a single bullet hole in the front passenger seat and blood stains. One 17-year-old was arrested on a manslaughter charge, while another 17-year-old faces a charge of tampering with evidence.
The Tascosa Volleyball team remembered Hampton on social media, saying, “Our hearts are broken. Our volleyball family is mourning the tragic loss of one of our own. Brynnlee was a light on and off the court. We hold her family, friends, and teammates in our thoughts and prayers as we mourn together and honor her memory.”
Her friends, family, and teammates continue to grieve as authorities investigate the tragic event.