In the spring of 2021, a devastating act of violence in Richmond, Virginia, claimed the life of 30-year-old Sharnez “Shy-Shy” Hill and her infant daughter. On the evening of April 27th, Hill was in the courtyard of the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Midlothian Turnpike, with her 3-month-old baby, Neziah. It was there that gunfire erupted, and both mother and child were tragically caught in the crossfire.
Three other people, a 29-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old girl, were also wounded in the shooting but survived. Hill, who was known as a peacemaker and was overjoyed to be a new mother, died at the scene, while her baby girl passed away shortly after.
The Richmond Police Department determined that the shooting was the result of a shootout between two groups. The investigation quickly led to the identification and arrest of several suspects. Within days of the shooting, police had taken Donald Hemmings, 22, Shyheem Martin, 23, and Shamondrick Perry, 19, into custody, charging them with conspiracy to commit murder. Shortly thereafter, authorities arrested an 18-year-old named Kavon Bynum with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force.
A manhunt was also launched for Kavon's twin brother, Kevon Bynum, who was also facing charges in connection with the indiscriminate shooting that police believe targeted a specific apartment. In a significant development in the case, Kevon Bynum later pleaded guilty to seven charges, including two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Sharnez and Neziah Hill. In March 2022, he was sentenced to 52 years in prison for his role in the two deadly shootings. The cases against the other suspects were set to proceed through the court system. In memory of the tragic loss, a portion of Wythemar Avenue in Richmond was given the honorary designation of Sharnez & Neziah Hill Lane.
