A beloved reporter, who was called to cover a tragic breaking story by her editor, was one of the victims who reportedly lost her life over a spilled drink at a local nightspot. Semi-pro football player Devon “Malik” Harris, 25, was also killed, and three others were injured.
Sierra Jenkins, 25, who worked for The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Press, accompanied by her best friend, was shot and killed outside of Chicho’s Pizza Backstage in downtown Norfolk on early Saturday morning. A verbal altercation over a wasted drink ended in a hail of gunfire just before 2 a.m. Chicho’s Pizza Backstage’s manager, Rory Schindel, told The Pilot that customers were leaving when the shooting occurred. The 25-year-old woman was one of five victims who were shot. Sierra succumbed to her injuries at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Harris died at the scene. The reporter’s boss repeatedly tried to contact her to cover the story, unaware that she was one of the victims involved.
Sierra and her good friend Demmi Nimer enjoyed themselves before the tragic shooting.
Demmi spoke with CBS News about losing Sierra.
“I’m devastated. I was with her when everything happened and just wish I could’ve done more to help her.”
The young journalist had just celebrated a milestone birthday on March 13. She was also the oldest of three children. Her father, Maurice, revealed that his Norfolk native daughter wasn’t a hang-out kind of girl. Sierra had only gone out because Demmi had come into town, and the two women wanted to spend time together. She was also the godmother to Demmi’s daughter.
“She wasn’t much of a going-out kind of person at all,” he said. “Everyone loved her. She was such an energetic, caring and giving person. A real go-getter. She’d do anything for anyone.”
The young reporter was celebrating another milestone- she had just rented her first apartment in Virginia Beach.
Sierra’s cousin, Sesil, wrote a chilling message on his Facebook page to the killers.
“I’m sending this out to all of Hampton Roads. My cousin didn’t deserve to go out this way. She had a bright future ahead of her. Urgent, Urgent, Urgent!!!! I’m calling to the streets– all over Hampton Roads. My father, his friends, he taught me. I came up in those streets, walked it all over.”
He continued, “My family [is] one of the largest. We want the shooters found. You will be found. Don’t run and try to hide. I promise you we will find you. Turn yourself in for your own protection. Come forward immediately. The streets talk. Turn yourself in. I may be in L.as Vegas, but I’m still in every mix there. Remember that. You will be found. You will be found.”
Sierra started as a breaking news reporter at The Pilot and had worked her way up to an education reporter. She also worked for CNN in Atlanta in 2020.
In September 2020, she expressed pride in working for the outlet, having her first post-graduate gig and living her dream as a journalist.
“Well. Wrapping up my first week with CNN (technically my second time having a “first week” with the company). It’s surreal to officially say I work in journalism/media. My first post-undergrad job. When I moved to Georgia four years ago, I went to school for accounting. Crazy, right? Cheers to the next chapter!”
No suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting—our sincerest condolences to all of the victims’ families.
