Two 17-year-olds are facing serious charges following the death of a 15-year-old girl in a shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day in Amarillo.
Jeremiah Luke Lajuan Matthews has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Brynnlee Hampton. Landrey Korde Matthews has been charged with tampering with evidence.
According to court documents, the incident took place inside a vehicle carrying eight juveniles who were leaving a party. Police responded to reports of a shooting at 6001 Westwind Avenue just after midnight. When officers arrived, Hampton, who was seated in the front passenger seat, had been shot. She was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators say multiple juvenile witnesses told police that Jeremiah Matthews had been handling a firearm inside the vehicle. Witnesses reported that he waved the gun and pointed it at other passengers. The juvenile driver said she initially thought the sound of the gunshot was a firework. Another passenger indicated she believed she had been shot, prompting the driver to pull the vehicle over and discover that Hampton had been hit.
Police found a single bullet hole in the rear of the front passenger seat and blood on the seat where Hampton had been sitting. Jeremiah Matthews was charged with manslaughter for recklessly causing her death, with bond set at $500,000.
Landrey Korde Matthews is accused of taking the firearm from Jeremiah Matthews after the shooting and discarding it down the street in an attempt to hide evidence. The weapon was later recovered. He has been charged with tampering with evidence and has a bond of $250,000.
The Amarillo community is mourning the loss of the young girl. Tascosa High School’s volleyball program described Hampton as a bright presence on and off the court and expressed sorrow for her family, friends, and teammates.
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