Tampa, FL – Five men in Florida will spend the rest of their lives in prison for the drive-by shooting death of a 4-year-old girl, marking the end of a harrowing two-year case that left a family shattered. The group was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and firing into an occupied vehicle, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.
The Incident: Drive-By Shooting Claims the Life of a Child
On August 22, 2021, 4-year-old Suni Bell was riding with her mother and uncle along Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa when three vehicles began following their silver Infiniti, according to surveillance footage presented during trial. Moments later, a barrage of gunfire erupted — dozens of bullets struck the car, killing Suni instantly.
Investigators later recovered approximately 40 bullet casings from the crime scene. Although the fatal bullet was never identified, prosecutors said that detail didn’t matter — the coordinated attack was deliberate and deadly.
Assistant State Attorney John Terry told jurors that the five men’s actions were akin to a “hunt”.
“They knew exactly what they were doing,” Terry said. “They were targeting whoever was in that car, and sadly, it happened to be Suni Bell.”
The child’s mother and uncle survived the attack, but their lives were forever changed.
Investigation and Evidence: Five Men Convicted
Following a two-year investigation, authorities charged Andrew Thompson, 26; James Denson, 28; Jaylin Bedward, 26; Quandarious Hammond, 32; and Zvante Sampson, 34. All five were found guilty in September 2024 after a jury trial in Hillsborough County Circuit Court.
During the trial, prosecutors showed surveillance videos from multiple locations along the route. The clips captured flashes of gunfire, the sound of rapid shots, and cars speeding in pursuit.
Although investigators could not determine which gun fired the fatal round, forensic evidence and testimony proved that the men acted together with intent to kill. Prosecutors said Hammond, Thompson, and Denson fired their weapons, while Sampson and Bedward drove two of the vehicles.
The defense argued that prosecutors had not proven who fired the bullet that killed Suni and warned against a verdict of “guilty by association.” The jury, however, sided with the state, finding that each man’s participation contributed to the child’s death.
Court Proceedings: “This Is What You Earned”
On Wednesday morning, Judge Robin Fuson of Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court sentenced all five defendants to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The judge delivered a stern rebuke during sentencing:
“You don’t get to do what you did and walk amongst us,” Judge Fuson said. “So for your actions, this is what you earned. Nobody put you in prison — you put yourselves there.”
He described the case as a “cautionary tale”, reminding the defendants that their choices destroyed two families.
“There are no winners,” the judge continued. “You’ve destroyed two sets of families, both sides of this equation. Nobody wins — everybody loses.”
Victim Impact Statements: Grief and Forgiveness
During the sentencing hearing, Suni Bell’s family gave emotional impact statements that reflected both grief and grace.
Her uncle implored the men to use their time behind bars as a warning to others.
“Y’all got 20 or 25 years or whatever to think about this,” he said. “Tell your friends to put these damn guns down. You’re destroying families with the stuff you’re doing and don’t even know what you’re doing.”
Her mother offered a message of compassion despite the pain.
“I know you guys probably did not mean to do it, but the outcome happened,” she said. “I feel for you. My heart goes out to all y’all, and we’ll be praying for y’all.”
Finally, her grandmother spoke through tears, expressing forgiveness and sorrow.
“She was 4. She’s gone,” she said. “Your family still gets to see and hug y’all. We have to wait till Judgment Day to see my grandbaby. I’m praying for your family, and I’m also going to uplift y’all in prayer as well.”
Background Context: The Impact of Gun Violence
The murder of Suni Bell highlights the devastating impact of gun violence on children in the United States. In recent years, Florida has seen an increase in retaliatory shootings and drive-by gunfire incidents, often linked to disputes that spiral out of control.
Prosecutors in Hillsborough County have renewed calls for community-led violence prevention programs, emphasizing that “reckless acts of rage can destroy entire generations in seconds.”
Ongoing Developments and Aftermath
The five men will serve their sentences at Florida State Prison with no eligibility for parole. Prosecutors have called the case a victory for justice, though they acknowledged that no sentence can restore the life that was lost.
Judge Fuson said he hopes the ruling serves as a lesson for others: violence carries irreversible consequences.
Conclusion
The sentencing of five men for the murder of 4-year-old Suni Bell closes a painful chapter for her family but underscores a deeper crisis of gun violence in Florida. As the courtroom emptied, the child’s family embraced, vowing to keep her memory alive — a reminder that innocent lives often bear the cost of senseless violence.
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