Haley Portner Cox, a 23-year-old mother of two from Riverview, Florida, was tragically killed on July 27, 2020, while filming an amateur rap music video. The incident occurred during the early morning hours as Cox was operating the camera for the video, which involved a staged kidnapping scene. The video was being filmed with her boyfriend, Erik Bronowski, 22, and two other individuals, Giovinie Bosques and Jordan Jaime Silver.
The group had incorporated a live handgun and fake blood as props for the video.
During the filming, Jordan Jaime Silver, 20, allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting Haley Portner Cox and injuring Erik Bronowski. According to the criminal report affidavit, Silver was acting erratically throughout the filming. At one point, while Cox was behind the camera, a single shot was fired, striking her. The footage from the camera, later reviewed by detectives, showed Silver holding a dark-colored semi-automatic handgun and behaving unpredictably. Witnesses reported that there was no prior argument or dispute before the shooting.
Following the incident, Silver was found hiding on a patio in the neighborhood and was arrested for loitering, prowling, and trespassing. He initially denied involvement in the shooting, claiming he heard gunshots and ran. However, further investigation and witness testimonies led to his arrest on charges of first-degree attempted premeditated murder with a firearm and second-degree murder with a firearm. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Silver's actions were unprovoked and that he intentionally shot and killed Haley Portner Cox.
The case proceeded to trial, where Silver was found guilty of manslaughter and attempted first-degree murder. The court proceedings revealed that Silver had brought the handgun to the filming location and that his erratic behavior during the video shoot led to the tragic outcome. The verdict brought some measure of justice for the family of Haley Portner Cox, who was remembered as a loving mother and a vibrant young woman whose life was cut short by senseless violence.
