She survived what should have been impossible.

When 23-year-old Brianna Arrington asked to leave a violent Norfolk street gang, its leaders decided she knew too much to be allowed to walk away.

Over the course of one horrific night, Brianna was beaten, stabbed multiple times, choked, forced to drink bleach, and shot point-blank in the head before being left for dead.

Against all odds, she survived.

In this first of a two-part special, Brianna tells her story publicly for the very first time alongside the detective, prosecutors, and U.S. Marshals who would later bring every person responsible to justice.

This is the story of survival, courage, and the beginning of one of the most extraordinary gang investigations in recent memory.

Show Notes

Episode 1: Brianna Arrington – Surviving the Unthinkable

On April 23, 2020, Brianna Arrington believed she had finally found stability.

After years of childhood abuse, foster care, homelessness, and abusive relationships, she accepted a room in a Norfolk apartment occupied by people she believed had become her family.

She had no idea they were members of one of Virginia's most violent Bloods street gangs.

When Brianna decided gang life wasn't for her and asked for her "walking papers," the gang concluded there was only one way she could leave.

She had to die.

In this emotional first episode, Brianna recounts the events that led her into the gang, the manipulation that drew her in, and the terrifying night that changed her life forever.

Joining host Chris Godsick are:

• Brianna Arrington
• Detective Matt Walsh (Norfolk Police Department/Chesapeake Police Department)
• Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Katie By
• Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force
• Law enforcement officials directly involved in the investigation

Together they examine:

• Brianna's difficult childhood and years in foster care.
• How vulnerable young people are recruited by violent gangs.
• The family atmosphere that concealed a criminal enterprise.
• The initiation process into the Rollin 20s Outlaw Bloods.
• What happened after Brianna requested to leave the gang.
• The brutal torture and attempted execution that she miraculously survived.
• How investigators began piecing together one of Norfolk's most disturbing attempted murder cases.

Episode 2 follows the massive law enforcement operation that led to the arrest of every suspect and the courtroom strategy that ultimately secured guilty pleas from all ten defendants.

Support Brianna

Brianna continues to recover from the physical and emotional trauma of the attack.

If you'd like to help her rebuild her life and support her family, please visit the Helping Brianna GoFundMe campaign.

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