Five men in Florida will spend the rest of their lives in prison for killing a little girl. Suni Bell was in the car with her mom and uncle when gunshots showered the vehicle. Although the adults were unscathed, the little girl was hit by a bullet and died. Even though not all of the men fired at the car, because of Florida laws, they are all being seen as equals and facing the same fate. The girl’s family spoke during sentencing, highlighting the ills of gun violence and how it ruins people’s lives.
On September 17, 2025, five men were found guilty of killing the 4-year-old girl: James Denson, Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward and Andrew Thompson. In a media release, the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial District, noted that all five men were convicted of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and shooting at or within a vehicle. They will all serve a mandatory life sentence.
In August 2021, Bell was in the back seat of her family’s car when the five men watched the car, according to surveillance footage. They followed it in different cars. Once they caught up with the vehicle, they fired dozens of gunshots. One of them hit the girl, killing her.
“They were on their way to a family gathering and couldn’t find the address, so they pulled over to call family,” Erin Maloney, communications director with the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, told People.
“The theory was the men mistook Suni’s family for someone who drove a similar car. You can see the men conspiring with each other on surveillance video before arming themselves and hunting down the vehicle to commit the shooting,” she said. “Suni’s mother testified on the stand that she just kept saying, ‘Mommy’ as gunshots rang out,” Maloney added.
Even though all five men didn’t fire gunshots into the car, prosecutors argued that they all worked together to plan and execute the shooting. As a result, they were equally guilty. In court, all five men pleaded not guilty.
“You don’t get to do what you did and walk amongst us, so for the actions, this is what you earned. Nobody put you in prison. You put yourselves there,” Judge Robin Fuson told the men, WTSP reported.
According to the outlet, Mary Harrison, Bell’s mother, told the court that she grew up with one of the defendants, which made the entire experience hard for her. She made a speech to the men and the judge during sentencing.
“I am very hurt. I know you guys probably did not mean to do it, but it happened,” she said, WTSP reported. “My heart goes out to all of you,” she added.
Drial Harrison, Bell’s grandmother, also spoke to the court, pointing out the “senseless gun violence” in the community, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Despite feeling bitter and angry, she said she would pray for the men. “This hurts,” she said. “This hurts deep. It’s not something you can put a Band-Aid on and heal from.”
“I won’t get to see my niece no more,” Bell’s uncle John Young told the men. “That’s off the board. Once that bullet comes out of that chamber, you cannot bring it back.” Young implored the men to put down their guns, reminding them they’re destroying families.
“I feel bad for that girl, but someone shot (at us),” Zvante Sampson said, disrupting the trial.
State Attorney Suzi Lopez shared a statement in the media release about the conviction.
“Suni Bell should have just started third grade, laughing, learning, and enjoying all the things she loved. She lit up every room with her singing in church, her dancing, and her favorite LOL dolls. She was a protective big sister and a daughter who adored her parents,” Lopez said. “Nothing can erase this tragedy, but today’s verdict ensures that those responsible for this senseless murder will be held accountable. We are humbled to stand with the family in our pursuit for justice for Suni.”
