A Virginian-Pilot reporter didn’t answer her phone Saturday morning when editors called about a shooting in downtown Norfolk. Hours later, the newspaper learned that one of its own was among the victims.
Sierra Jenkins, 25, an education reporter for the Virginia newspaper, was one of two people killed outside Chicho’s Pizza Backstage when gunfire broke out as the restaurant was closing around 1:30 a.m., the Virginian-Pilot confirmed.
“She was such a bright light,” said Denise Watson, the features editor for the Virginian-Pilot. “She was everything you’d want in a colleague and reporter. And she had just started. There’s no telling what she could have done.”
Jenkins was scheduled to work the breaking news shift on the day that she was killed. An editor tried to reach her several times to cover the shooting before learning she was among the victims, the outlet said.
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The Norfolk Police Department said five people were shot after an argument started outside, according to a news release.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Jenkins “suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound” after she got caught in the crossfire. She was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The other victim, identified as Devon Harris, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jenkins covered a wide range of news for the Virginian-Pilot, previously serving as a breaking news reporter, writing on topics such as school budgets, social issues, gun violence, and more.
“She was really excited to make an impact on the community and enhance it any way she could,” said Kiana Murden, Jenkins’s friend.
Prior to her time at the Virginian-Pilot, Jenkins worked as an intern for CNN and Atlanta Magazine and as a news assistant for CNN Health.
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Several state officials were among those to offer their condolences following the shooting, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state Del. Danica Roem.
“In your mid-20s in the newsroom, you’ve just come into your own. You’ve have the experience to find the story and drive to break it, all while growing as a person. To rob her life is just beyond tragedy,” Roem wrote on Twitter.
Authorities said they are still investigating the shooting.
