In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in Newport News, Virginia, the life of 21-year-old Paris Bennett was cut short by gunfire. On April 7, 2015, the sound of gunshots pierced the pre-dawn quiet on Dresden Drive, prompting a patrol officer to investigate. The officer discovered bullet casings scattered at the scene, but the victim was nowhere in sight.
A short time later, Bennett, suffering from a gunshot wound, arrived at a local hospital.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries. Investigators with the Newport News Police Department quickly identified a suspect in the fatal shooting: 21-year-old Christapha Enrico Herman Hayes of Hampton. Authorities issued warrants for his arrest on charges of murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The investigation continued for several months until September 20, 2015, when Christapha Hayes surrendered to detectives. He was taken into custody and incarcerated at the Newport News City Jail, facing the serious charges leveled against him in connection with the death of Paris Bennett. Information regarding the motive for the shooting or the specifics of the subsequent legal proceedings, including a trial or conviction, are not detailed in the available online sources.
