Teen Brynnlee Hampton, 15, Killed on New Year's Eve – Shocking Details

A group of teenagers left a New Year's Eve party in Amarillo, Texas, expecting nothing more than to carry the excitement into the early hours of 2026. But the night ended in tragedy when something went terribly wrong inside the vehicle they were all in.

Fifteen-year-old Brynnlee Hampton died just after midnight on January 1, 2026, following a heartbreaking incident inside a car carrying several of her peers.

The teens had only just left the celebration when disaster struck — a chain of reckless decisions that would end in the loss of her young life. Now, felony charges have been filed, and a community is left grappling.

The Emergency Call

At approximately 1:10 a.m., when many were still toasting the start of the new year, Amarillo Police Department officers were called to the 6000 block of Westwind Avenue with reports that a woman had been seriously injured.

What they found was something far more devastating. The victim was just a girl, and she was discovered in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Although she wasn't alone, she was the only one gravely wounded.

Six other teenagers had been riding with her, including Jeremiah Luke Lajuan Matthews, 17, and Landrey Korde Matthews, also 17.

Brynnlee was rushed to Northwest Hospital in critical condition with injuries described as life-threatening, and despite the best efforts of emergency personnel, she didn't make it.

But what claimed her life wasn't what anyone would expect from a car full of teens. It wasn't a crash. It wasn't the road.

It was something far more reckless.

What Happened Inside That Car?

Detectives from the local Homicide Unit launched an immediate investigation. According to court documents, officers discovered a single bullet hole in the rear portion of the front passenger seat, as well as visible blood.

The driver told police they had just left a party, but what other passengers revealed was a picture of chaos and horror.

Jeremiah was allegedly waving and playing with a firearm inside the moving vehicle, even pointing it at the faces of others. Then, in an instant, the gun went off.

The driver thought it might have been fireworks, until she realized that Brynnlee had been shot.

She tried to call her mother, but according to the court complaint, Jeremiah tried to stop her from doing so.

Furthermore, in the panic, Landrey took the firearm and threw it away down the street. Police later recovered the weapon during their search.

Ultimately, authorities arrested Jeremiah and charged him with manslaughter the same day of the incident. Landrey was also charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation.

A Family's Unbearable Grief

Though police acted quickly, no legal measure can repair the hole left behind.

Brynnlee's grandfather, Gordon Melton, posted a deeply emotional tribute on Facebook, writing with raw honesty about the pain his family now faces.

"There is no pain any worse than that," he shared. "I ask first for Prayers for my Daughter, and her husband and their 2 boys, as well as the biological father of my Granddaughter. Then I ask for your Prayers for my Wife and I and the rest of our Family."

He shared that while he refuses to question God, he still can't understand why this had to happen. But his faith is strong, and he believes he will see Brynnlee again one day.

A Life Remembered

Brynnlee wasn't just a student. She was a National Honor Society member, a talented volleyball player at Tascosa High School, and a beloved friend.

Her team shared a tribute of their own:

"Our hearts are broken. Our volleyball family is mourning the tragic loss of one of our own. 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. ♥️🖤"

Saying Goodbye

Her family created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. The campaign describes Brynnlee as athletic, family-oriented, and fiercely devoted to God. She loved reading the Bible and writing down her favorite verses, cherished her siblings, and treasured time spent with her friends.

Her funeral will be held in Amarillo, and she will be buried in Paducah, Texas, beside her great-grandmother. As of this writing, the fundraiser has gathered over $20,000 of its $22,000 goal. We offer our condolences to her family after this tragedy.