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Mother Of Two Shot To Death While Filming ‘Theatrical’ Video Involving Staged Kidnapping
Haley Cox was operating the camera during a rap video when one of the members of the group, Jordan Jaime Silver, allegedly opened fire for some unknown reason.
A Florida man is accused of opening fire and killing a mother of two during what was supposed to be a “theatrical” rap music video complete with fake blood and a real handgun.
Haley Portner Cox, 23, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of July 27 in Riverview, Florida while she was filming the music video, according to a criminal report affidavit obtained by Oxygen.com. Her boyfriend Erik Bronowski, 22, was also shot but survived the incident.
The suspected shooter, 20-year-old Jordan Jaime Silver, was found by police hiding on a patio in the neighborhood soon after the shooting. He was arrested for alleged loitering and prowling, as well as trespassing, according to the arrest affidavit.
Silver confessed to participating in the music video but denied any involvement in the shooting or knowing any of the victims. He told law enforcement he “heard gunshots and ran,” the affidavit stated.
Bronowski told detectives he and another man, Giovinie Bosques — along with Cox and Silver — had been filming a rap video that day. The premise of the video involved “a staged kidnapping" of Bosques.
“Mr. Bosques advised the rap video was based on a staged kidnapping of himself, and all parties involved were aware the video was theatrical in nature,” the affidavit stated.
The video incorporated a live handgun as a prop — which Silver allegedly provided — as well as fake blood. At some point during production of the video, Bosques told investigators he was applying fake blood to his body when he heard a single shot ring out. He turned around to find Cox, who was operating the camera, on the ground. He alleged Silver was holding the pistol.
Bosques told authorities he began to run away from the area toward the group’s vehicle when Silver then shot Bronowski. Bosques allegedly banged on several front doors of houses in the neighborhood in an attempt to alert residents to the shooting, authorities said.
Detectives, who retrieved a digital camera from the crime scene, were able to later view footage of the shooting.
Video of the incident allegedly showed Silver holding a “dark-colored semi-automatic handgun,” the affidavit stated. At the conclusion of one clip, Silver supposedly began acting “erratically” and Bosques can be heard telling him to “calm himself down.”
“Silver was pacing and hiding behind bushes for no apparent reason while they were attempting to film the rap video,” the affidavit added.
Cox, who was behind the camera, is later heard asking “how to hold the camera,” when a single shot is fired. No dispute or prior argument was heard on the recording, authorities said. The 23-year-old was struck in the cheek, according to police.
Bosques, who picked up the camera after it appeared to fall to the ground, can be heard asking Silver, “Why did you do that?” a number of times.
“I don’t know,” Silver allegedly replied, according to the affidavit.
Three more gunshots are then heard on the recording, according to the affidavit. Bosques said, “No,” several times, appeared to drop the camera, and fled the area.
Detectives found three spent shell casings at the scene.
Bronowski, who sustained gunshots to his chest and thigh area, was taken to Tampa General Hospital and placed in critical condition. When police located the injured man, he was in possession of a plastic water bottle containing fake blood.
Witnesses also described the shooting as “unprovoked,” according to a statement released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Silver continued to deny any involvement in the shooting after detectives confronted him with the video evidence of the shooting, authorities said. He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.
A motive in the shooting isn’t currently known.
"Senseless acts of violence will not be tolerated in Hillsborough County," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "I commend our detectives for the thorough investigation that helped us locate the person responsible for this double shooting in less than 24 hours. As we continue working to learn what led up to this tragedy, we will make sure that the person responsible faces the consequences for his actions."
Authorities declined to release additional information.
Cox’s family described the 23-year-old as a “beautiful soul” and “loving” mother. She leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, according to a GoFundMe page set up by the family.
“Our beautiful Haley Portner Cox has died from a gunshot to her chest and was taken from us yesterday in cold blood murder,” relative Cyndi-Dominic Viverito wrote in a statement posted to Facebook. “She will never get to see her two beautiful babies grow up nor will they have her throughout life. Our family is hurting beyond comprehension.”
Silver made a preliminary court appearance on July 28. He’s being held on $502,000 bond, according to online jail records. Silver has retained a public defender, according to court records.
