Authorities in Norfolk, Virginia, said a Virginia newspaper reporter was one of two people killed during a shooting early Saturday outside a restaurant and bar.
Sierra Jenkins, 25, who covered the education for The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after the shooting outside Chicho Pizza Backstage, according to officials.
Norfolk Police investigators were investigating the shooting, which also wounded three others. Jenkins was caught in the crossfire as she was leaving the bar, restaurant manager Rory Schindel Tell Newspaper. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday afternoon.
Jenkins grew up in Norfolk and graduated from Georgia State University. She worked as an intern at Atlanta Magazine and CNN before joining The Pilot in December 2020.
“Sierra was a bright, talented woman with a lot of effort. Her passion for journalism was undeniable, and our society is better because of her reporting,” said Chris Worrell, editor in chief of Virginia Media, which runs The Virginian-Pilot and several other newspapers. Funny, lively and full of enthusiasm. We are completely sad.”
Schindel said the bartenders made the last call for drinks and turned on the lights at around 1:30 a.m. The altercation began outside as people began leaving, and soon afterwards, bullets rang out, the newspaper reported.
Norfolk Police have identified the other person who was killed, Devon M. Harris, 25, from Portsmouth. Police said in a press release that another woman was hit by a life-threatening bullet, while two other men were injured by non-life-threatening gunshots.
Jenkins’ father, Maurice Jenkins of Virginia Beach, told the newspaper that his daughter “wasn’t the type to go out much at all” but he has a friend visiting the area who wants to get out. Chicho’s Pizza Backstage was next door to the Norfolk campus in downtown Tidewater Community College.
It was Sierra Jenkins’ birthday last weekend. The newspaper reported, that she got her first apartment in Virginia Beach a month ago after living with the family.
Some of the state’s top leaders mourned Saturday’s death.
“Our hearts go out to the lives lost in Norfolk, including Sierra Jenkins,” Governor Glenn Youngkin tweeted. “The First Lady and I pray for their families, friends, and the Virginian-Pilot community.”
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