Family wants answers in teen's death

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Six months ago, Vinnesha Hunter, 19, was in her home when a stray bullet ended her life. No arrests have been made in the case and Hampton police are hoping that will change.

For some people, six months can come and go in the blink of an eye. But for Hunter's family, the last six months have felt like a lifetime.

"Everyday, I hope and pray that we get that one phone call saying we have something," Hunter's sister, Zhaleesa Gayles, said.

They shared with WAVY.com photos and memories of Hunter, but it's not nearly enough for the family who knows, first-hand, about loss.

"For somebody to kill her with one single bullet, it doesn't make sense," Hunter's sister, Zhane Gayles, added.

In early July, Hunter had just arrived at her home on Carolina Street and was hanging out with her sisters in the kitchen.

"I noticed a car head light in the window," Zhaleesa recalled.

"I heard the car stop," Zhane added. "It was a weird stop."

"That's when you heard the gun shots and she (Vinnesha) started screaming," Zhaleesa said.

"You felt fear," Zhane explained. "You felt death. I felt like somebody was going to die in that room. The shots would never stop. They just kept going."

"It just all happened so fast," Zhaleesa said.

Hunter was hit by one of those flying bullets. When officers arrived at the home, they found Vinnesha Michelle Hunter suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso, according to a police spokesman. Medics transported Hunter to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of her injuries.

"I can never forget that day, because you took away my sister," Zhane added.

Police say the stray bullet was never meant for Hunter. According to their investigation, a dark colored vehicle was chasing a red vehicle on I-64 eastbound. Police say the occupant(s) in the dark-colored vehicle were shooting at the red vehicle as they exited the interstate onto LaSalle Avenue. Both vehicles turned left onto Carolina Street and then right onto Patterson Avenue.

"You would never expect it to be someone who actually had morals in life," Zhalessa said. "Someone who actually wanted to be something in life."

Hunter had just graduated high school and wanted to become a nurse. Someone took that dream away. Six months later, that someone is still out on the streets.

"People never think about the consequences until they get caught or 'til it happens to them," Zhane said. "How can you go to sleep knowing that you killed somebody?"

"That is what hurts me the most, because I know that somebody knows something," Zhalessa added.

Police ask anyone that may have seen a vehicle that matches the description with bullet holes in it to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.