On a tragic Mother's Day weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia, 43-year-old Bridgette Linetta White, a female, lost her life in a violent domestic dispute that unfolded on May 8, 2015. The events leading to her death began after a fight with her husband, James Wallace White, Jr., the previous day, which prompted her to leave their home on Baccalaureate Drive and stay with a friend.
The following day, Bridgette returned to the residence with a friend to collect some of her personal
belongings. An argument ensued with her husband, who at one point entered the bedroom she was in and locked the door, proceeding to hit and yell at her. Later, in an upstairs hallway, in the presence of Bridgette's two sons and her friend, James displayed a handgun. He then fired two shots, one striking Bridgette in the face and the other hitting one of her sons in the shoulder. Bridgette White died at the scene, while her son survived his injuries.
After the shooting, James White fled the home. He was located by police nearby, and an exchange of gunfire occurred, resulting in his being injured, though his injuries were not life-threatening. He was taken into custody and subsequently admitted to the two shootings.
James Wallace White, Jr., who was 51 years old at the time of the incident, was charged with second-degree murder, felonious assault, and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was later found guilty of first-degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of use of a firearm. In August 2017, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of his wife and the shooting of his stepson.
