On August 22, 2021, four-year-old Suni Michelle Bell, an African American girl, was shot and killed while riding in the backseat of a car in Tampa, Florida. According to reports, her last words were mommy before she succumbed to her injuries. The attack also wounded other occupants of the vehicle.

A Hillsborough County grand jury returned indictments on September 30, 2021, charging five people with crimes including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and shooting into a vehicle. Those indicted were identified as Zvante Sampson (30), Quandarious Hammond (28), Jaylin Bedward (22), James Denson (24), and Andrew Thompson (22). Hammond and Sampson were additionally charged with attempted murder of a third victim, and Hammond, Thompson, and Denson face counts of discharging a firearm from a vehicle in public. All five were later apprehended by law enforcement.

Vigils and rallies were held after Suni’s death, and the family and community publicly requested information and offered a reward for tips. If anyone has information about the shooting or additional people involved, please come forward to assist the investigation.