On the morning of July 21, 2026, 19-year-old Alexis Styles was on her way to her new job in Norfolk, Virginia, a journey that tragically became her last. She was a passenger in a burgundy Nissan driven by her 39-year-old stepfather, Cortez Ames, when their vehicle was targeted in a brazen shooting on eastbound Interstate 264. The unexpected hail of at least ten bullets shattered the early morning calm, fatally wounding Styles and seriously injuring her stepfather. Ames, though wounded, managed to pull the car over near the former Military Circle Mall, but for Alexis Styles, it was too late.
The initial investigation by the Virginia State Police was swift, leading to the apprehension of two suspects within days of the shooting. Asia F. Wiggins, 20, and Jamir D. Bennett, 19, both of Virginia Beach, were taken into custody. Their arrests were aided by surveillance footage that captured a purple Lexus following Styles' vehicle. The same Lexus was later seen at a car wash where Wiggins and Bennett were recorded disposing of spent ammunition that matched the casings found at the crime scene. Wiggins was charged with being an accessory after the fact to a homicide, while Bennett faced the same charge along with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During their initial court appearance, both were denied bond, with prosecutors highlighting Bennett's criminal history as a flight risk. A preliminary hearing for the two was scheduled for October 15, 2026.
As the investigation deepened, a narrative of mistaken identity began to emerge, suggesting that the shooters had targeted the wrong vehicle. The prevailing theory is that a third individual, believed to be the actual shooter, was also present with Wiggins and Bennett. Despite the charges against Wiggins and Bennett, authorities have yet to publicly identify or apprehend the person who fired the fatal shots. The case, which cut short a young life on the cusp of a new chapter, remains an open and active investigation. While two individuals face charges for their alleged involvement after the fact, the quest for justice for Alexis Styles continues as police work to bring the primary suspect to account. There have been no reports of convictions or sentencing in the case as the legal process is ongoing.
