On Jan. 1 in Amarillo, 15-year-old Brynnlee Hampton, a Tascosa High School sophomore, was fatally shot after witnesses say a teen waved and handled a handgun inside a car. Two 17-year-olds were arrested the same day; Jeremiah Luke Lajuan Matthews faces a felony manslaughter charge and Landrey Korde Matthews faces a tampering-with-evidence charge. Eight juveniles were in the vehicle and Hampton was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The community has organized tributes and a GoFundMe describes her as athletic and recently inducted into the National Honor Society.
15-Year-Old Tascosa Student Fatally Shot in Amarillo After Teens Allegedly Mishandle Gun in Car
gofundmeBrynnlee Hampton
On Jan. 1 in Amarillo, Texas, 15-year-old Brynnlee Hampton, a sophomore at Tascosa High School, was shot and later pronounced dead after a firearm was reportedly mishandled inside a car containing several teenagers.
Details Of The Incident
According to local reporting and court documents, eight juveniles were in the vehicle in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Witnesses told police that one teen was waving a handgun and pointing it at other occupants when the weapon discharged, striking Hampton, who was seated in the front passenger seat.
Responding officers found Hampton with a gunshot wound; she was transported to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead. Investigators noted a single bullet hole and blood on the front passenger seat, per local reports.
gofundmeBrynnlee Hampton
Arrests And Charges
Two 17-year-old males were arrested and booked into the Potter County Detention Center on Jan. 1. Jeremiah Luke Lajuan Matthews faces a second-degree felony manslaughter charge. Landrey Korde Matthews was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony; authorities say he allegedly took the firearm from Jeremiah and discarded it down the street.
Jail records show bail for Jeremiah was set at $500,000 and bail for Landrey at $250,000. It was not immediately clear from public records whether either teen has retained legal counsel or whether the two are related. Local officials have said the case remains under active investigation.
Investigation Status
The Amarillo Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Jan. 4. Court documents and witness statements cited by local media form the basis of the reported narrative; prosecutors will determine next steps as the case proceeds through Potter County courts.
gofundmeBrynnlee Hampton
Community Reaction
Friends, teammates and community members have posted tributes online and organized fundraising to help cover funeral expenses. A GoFundMe set up for Hampton describes her as "very athletic" who loved playing volleyball, had been recently inducted into the National Honor Society, and was devoted to family and faith.
"She had a strong and kind spirit that touched everyone who knew her," the obituary reads. "She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed."
Hampton’s high school volleyball team shared a Facebook message saying: "Our hearts are broken... 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."
The community and authorities continue to seek answers as family members request privacy while they mourn.
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