Virginia reporter on call to cover shooting ends up being among victims
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In a cruel twist of fate, a Virginia newspaper reporter had been called “repeatedly” by her editor to cover a weekend shooting before realizing she had been killed.
Sierra Jenkins, of Norfolk, Va., was one of two people killed early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted outside a restaurant at which she had just had dinner with a friend, the Norfolk Police Department said in a news release.
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Jenkins was assigned to cover breaking news on Saturday for The Virginian-Pilot so when an editor learned of the shooting, he reportedly tried to get in contact with Jenkins multiple times to ask her to go to the scene — not realizing she was one of the victims.
The reporter was caught in the crossfire as she and her friend left the restaurant, Chicho’s Pizza Backstage manager Rory Schindel told the newspaper.
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“It was just a normal night,” he said. “There were a lot of people there, as usual, and there was a great atmosphere inside.”
Schindel said customers began to leave after last call was announced. That’s when he recalls hearing an argument outside, then the sound of shots being fired.
Jenkins was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, reported the outlet.
A second victim, Devon M. Harris, 25, of Portsmouth, Va., was pronounced dead at the scene, police reported.
Three other victims were also transported to hospital for treatment — one man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, and two other men suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to cops.
“We are devastated to report that Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press reporter Sierra Jenkins was among the victims of an overnight shooting in downtown Norfolk,” the Pilottweeted.
According to the paper, Jenkins celebrated her birthday on March 13, the Sunday before her death. She had just turned 25.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are still looking for any suspects responsible for the shooting.
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