A shooting outside a Virginia restaurant and bar early Saturday has resulted in the death of 2 persons, including a woman newspaper reporter.
Sierra Jenkins, 25, a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk who covered education, died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital following the incident outside Chicho's Pizza Backstage, officials said.
Virginia Bar Shooting
The Associated Press reported that Norfolk police detectives had launched an investigation on the shooting in Norfolk, Virginia, which also injured three persons.
According to Rory Schindel, who manages the restaurant, Jenkins was leaving the bar when she was caught in the crossfire.
Schindel estimated that there were around 180 people at the bar when bartenders called the last call for drinks and turned up the lights at around 1:30 a.m. As individuals began to leave, an argument broke out outside, and shots were fired shortly after, as per The Hill.
Norfolk police identified the other casualty as 25-year-old Devon M. Harris from Portsmouth. While a woman sustained a critical gunshot wound, and two men got gunshot wounds but not life-threatening.
As of present writing, no arrest had been announced by the police.
A Passionate Journalist
Jenkins, who grew up in Norfolk and studied at Georgia State University, was described as "funny and energetic, and full of enthusiasm."Before becoming a staff of The Pilot in 2020, Jenkins had her internship at Atlanta magazine. Jenkins was assigned to cover breaking news for the local newspaper before her promotion to the education beat.
Kris Worrell, editor-in-chief of Virginia Media, shared that the late reporter "was a bright and talented woman with so much going for her" and exhibited an "undeniable" passion for journalism that contributed to the betterment of the community.
An editor tried to contact her to ask her to report the shooting incident but failed to reach the journalist."We are absolutely heartbroken," said Worrell of Virginia Media, which operates the Virginian Pilot and some newspapers.
Sierra Jenkins' father, Maurice, said that his daughter was not an outgoing kind of person, but her best friend came to town, and the two decided to hang out at Chicho's Pizza Backstage near Tidewater Community College's Norfolk campus in the downtown area.
According to The Virginian Pilot, Jenkin's celebrated her birthday last weekend and got an apartment in Virginia Beach last month.
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Norfolk Police Calls for Tips on Shooting
Some government officials on social media mourned the deaths in the Saturday shooting.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin posted on Twitter, "Our hearts are breaking for the lives lost in Norfolk, including Sierra Jenkins," "The First Lady and I are praying for their families, friends, and the Virginian-Pilot community."
"Keeping the Jenkins and @virginianpilot families in my prayers during this difficult time," Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) tweeted that the Jenkins and Virginia are in her prayers.
"Coastal Virginia is better because of Sierra's reporting and pursuit of the truth," she posted.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Norfolk Commonwealth's attorney Ramin Fatehi sought the help of individuals who recorded the shooting via cell phone or surveillance camera or possessed other information to contact the authorities.
Anyone with information can send a tip online or call the police via 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
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