9-year-old Brandoniya Bennett, from Dallas, Texas, was fatally shot inside her home in 2019. The shooter, Davonte Benton has been convicted of murder and sentenced to 45 years in prison for connection with the little girl’s death.
“The murder of this child remains a senseless and unimaginable tragedy,” District Attorney John Creuzot said in a statement, according to People. “While nothing can bring Brandoniya back, I am thankful we are able to send the message that this kind of violence will not be tolerated in Dallas County.”
The tragedy took place on August 14, 2019, a day before Brandoniya’s first day of school as a 4th grader. However, she was killed by a stray bullet from outside while walking back to the couch after grabbing a snack in the kitchen.
Benton was at the apartment complex in the Roseland Townhomes in Old East Dallas with 19-year-old aspiring rapper Tyrese Simmons, who reportedly felt insulted by a rival’s rap lyrics about him resulting in a social media feud.
“It got to the point where this group wanted to come over and solve it by fighting,” Dallas Police Department Maj. Danny Williams said.
Benton “was part of a group involved in a fight next door” on the day of the fatal shooting, Creuzot said. “The fight broke up but he and another man ran around to the back and fired several gunshots into the wrong unit. One of those bullets struck Brandoniya in the head, killing her almost instantly.”
The girl was taken to the Baylor University Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.
Benton was arrested on September 5, 2019, and was charged with capital murder. He pleaded not guilty but has been recently sentenced to nearly five decades in prison after being convicted of the murder.
Simmons turned himself in on the day after the shooting and was charged with capital murder. He also pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Brandoniya’s family is still grieving the loss of their loved one.
