HARTFORD, CT – A 16-year-old girl is recovering from devastating injuries after she was shot in the head by her boyfriend during a video call with a friend, according to court records and statements from authorities.
The victim, who has not been named due to her age, was hospitalized in critical condition following the September 2024 attack. Investigators say she was placed in a medically induced coma to treat her wounds after the shooting inside a Hartford home. The traumatic episode unfolded while she was FaceTiming a friend, who witnessed the ordeal in real time.
Authorities described the incident as a violent escalation of an argument between the couple. Moments before the gun was fired, prosecutors said the girl’s boyfriend—identified as Jayzon Gunter, 19—attempted to strangle her with a phone cord. Witnesses reported hearing a loud gunshot and rushed into the room to find the teenager bleeding heavily from the head and struggling to breathe.
One friend, present via FaceTime, managed to record the disturbing events on her cellphone. The footage, according to officials, captured the moment Gunter pointed a firearm at the victim’s head and pulled the trigger, causing life-threatening injuries.
Emergency personnel arrived at the home following frantic calls for help. The teenager was found with severe head trauma, coughing up blood, and in urgent need of medical care. She was quickly transported to a local hospital, where she later informed medical staff about her relationship with her assailant, identifying Gunter both by his legal and street names.
During the police investigation, officers learned from another witness that Gunter had attempted to choke the victim shortly before the shooting, allegedly wrapping a phone charger cord around her neck. Gunter was located by police at a separate residence and taken into custody on an unrelated warrant. Initially, he denied involvement in the shooting, telling investigators he only heard a gunshot.
Prosecutors initially charged Gunter with attempted murder, stating he tried to kill the girl during the dispute. However, as part of a plea agreement, Gunter pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault and attempted third-degree strangulation. He was sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by three years of probation.
Court documents reveal that if Gunter violates the terms of his probation after release, he could face an additional 12 years of incarceration.
Authorities have not released further information regarding the girl’s current condition, but the case has drawn attention to the ongoing dangers of domestic violence among teens. Police say the quick actions of witnesses and first responders likely saved her life.
The investigation remains closed, with Gunter now serving his sentence. The victim continues her recovery as her family and community come to terms with the attack.