On the evening of May 31, 2017, Anthony Earl “Ant – Ant” Bell, a 50-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in Hampton, Virginia. The incident occurred at approximately 10:35 PM in the vicinity of 427 Glendale Road, where police responded to reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Mr. Bell with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Despite the efforts of medics, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two other men, a 38-year-old from Newport News and a 41-year-old from Hampton, were also found at the scene with gunshot wounds. Both of these men survived the attack. Family and friends of Mr. Bell believe he was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire while simply walking to a store and stopping to speak with a friend.
The Hampton Police Division has classified the case as a homicide, and it remains an active investigation. Investigators were met with conflicting descriptions of a vehicle seen leaving the area after the shooting. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Anthony Bell, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Authorities continue to ask for the public's assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward.
