In the early hours of a spring morning in Hampton, Virginia, the life of 42-year-old Benita J. Mozelle was tragically cut short. On May 15, 2023, what began as a verbal altercation escalated into a devastating act of violence that left two people dead in the roadway. Police were called to the 400 block of Alleghany Road around 1 a.m. where they discovered Ms. Mozelle and 26-year-old Troy L. James, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of medics, both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an argument that intensified into a physical fight. It is reported that Ms. Mozelle, a woman remembered for her heart of gold and contagious smile, had attempted to intervene and de-escalate the conflict. Tragically, during the course of the fight, a firearm was discharged, striking both her and Mr. James. The incident left the community in shock and her family searching for answers as to how she became caught in the middle of the deadly gunfire.
For two months, the investigation into the double homicide continued, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and loved Benita Mozelle. Then, in mid-July, a significant development brought a measure of hope for justice. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Hampton Police Division arrested 35-year-old Phillip Lee Morris in connection with the fatal shooting.
Morris has since been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of malicious wounding, one count of robbery causing death, four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and one count of discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the deaths of Benita J. Mozelle and Troy L. James remains ongoing as the legal process moves forward.
