Family of mother, 3-month-old killed in shooting relieved after man pleads guilty to murder
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond police said the suspect in the shooting death of a mother and baby pleaded guilty to their murders on Friday morning.
Kevon Bynum pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of malicious wounding.
Sharnez Hill, 30, and her 3-month-old daughter were shot and killed on April 27 at the Belt Atlantic Apartment complex along Midlothian Turnpike. An 11-year-old, a 15-year-old, and another woman were also injured in the shooting.
Bynum also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for the shooting death of Vinshaun Johnson, who was found shot to death on Montvale Avenue on April 7.
“Richmond Police officers and detectives worked tirelessly following these shootings to successfully identify and arrest the suspects, yet that is only the beginning of these cases,” said RPD Chief Gerald M. Smith. “Here, you also see the results from the dedicated work of Major Crimes detectives coordinated with the determined excellence from the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney to bring about these guilty pleas. I commend all involved in these cases and look forward to additional positive developments from these investigations and prosecutions.”
Sharnez’s aunt, Destiny Hill, was in court Friday with family, coming face to face with her niece’s killer as he pleaded guilty.
“I just wanted to lay my eyes on him,” Hill said. “For me, to hear him say, ‘I did that,’ left no doubt what happened today.”
Hill says the guilty plea represents an eight-month burden that’s finally been lifted off of the family but admits that Bynum’s behavior in court added another layer of heartbreak.
“The problem is still here, and it was senseless; she was out there enjoying the day with her newborn baby,” Hill said. “Obviously, he was intelligent. He was [saying] ‘yes, ma’am’ in court, everything ‘yes, ma’am.’ Where was that man that day?”
Hill says she thanks the community for their continued support and is praying for closure this holiday season.
“Thanksgiving was really rough for the family, and Christmas is going to be really rough too, but we’re glad to be a praying family.”
There are currently four co-defendants awaiting trial.
He is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
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