Brynlee Hampton was a 15-year-old high school student from Amarillo, Texas, who was fatally shot on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026.
The incident happened in the early morning hours around 1:10 a.m. on New Year’s Day in Amarillo, Texas.
Police were called to the 6000 block of Westwind Avenue after reports of a shooting involving a vehicle.
Brynlee, who was 15 years old and a front-seat passenger, was riding with seven other teens in a car after leaving a party when the incident occurred.
According to witness statements and court documents, 17-year-old Jeremiah Luke Lajuan Matthews was inside the vehicle, handling a firearm, waving it around, and pointing it at other passengers’ faces.
While he was “playing with” the gun inside the car, it discharged unintentionally, and a bullet struck Brynlee.
Some passengers said they initially thought the sound was fireworks before realizing she had been shot.
Brynlee was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Matthews has been charged with manslaughter in connection with her death, and another teen faces an evidence-related charge.
Brynlee Hampton is Survived by Her Parents, Emmalee and Justin, Along With Her Siblings, Grandparents, and Extended Family!
Brynlee Hampton, a volleyball player at Tascosa High School and a member of the National Honor Society, was born February 18, 2010, in Childress, Texas.
She was the daughter of Emmalee Dawn Melton and Justin Paul Hampton. She lived in a close-knit family and was deeply loved by her parents, siblings, and extended family.
Her mother, Emmalee, has worked in several roles over the years, including as a stay-at-home mom, and at Austin’s Texas Pub and Bubba’s 33 in Amarillo, Texas.
She studied nursing at the CRMC School of Vocational Nursing, attending from 2010 to 2011, reflecting her background in healthcare education.
She is married to Jess Yap, with their marriage beginning on May 22, 2021.
On the other hand, there is no publicly available information about her father, Justin, though it is known that he is in a relationship with Stephanie Arbogast.
Brynlee was a member of the Tascosa Rebels volleyball team, where she played as part of the junior varsity squad and wore jersey number 6.
In addition to playing for her high school, she also competed with AEV Volleyball.
Her sudden passing in this tragic incident has deeply affected her family, friends, and the wider community.
A GoFundMe fundraiser “Celebrating Brynnlee’s Life and Faith” was created by Gordon Melton in the days following Brynlee Hampton’s death.
The purpose of this campaign is to help her family cover funeral and related expenses and to support them as they cope with the sudden loss of their daughter.
Now, regarding the funeral and memorial services for Brynlee, visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home in Amarillo, Texas.
The funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Hillside Christian Church in Amarillo.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Brynlee Hampton’s family, friends, and well-wishers.
Rest In Peace, Beautiful Soul!
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