On a tragic Mother's Day in 2017, Tanna D. Gardner, a 23-year-old Black female, was fatally shot in Richmond, Virginia. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 14th on Interstate 95. Gardner was a passenger in a car with her friend, 26-year-old Sharayne Danielle Nichole Holland, who was also killed in the attack. The two were returning from a graduation celebration when their vehicle was targeted.
The events leading up to the shooting reportedly began with an argument at a party
in the city's downtown area. This confrontation escalated and continued onto the highway. As their car traveled along I-95, another vehicle pulled alongside, and a gunman opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets into the car. Investigators recovered at least 72 shell casings from the scene of the crime. It remains unclear if Gardner and Holland were the intended targets of the gunfire.
In the aftermath of the shooting, both families were left desperate for answers. Gardner's father expressed the profound pain of losing his daughter, who had just celebrated her graduation. The families have made public appeals for information and have worked to keep the case in the public eye. A substantial reward of $50,000 has been offered by the families and the FBI for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Despite the ongoing efforts of the Virginia State Police and the significant reward, the case remains unsolved. The gunman has not been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Tanna Gardner and Sharayne Holland. The investigation continues to be active, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward.
