NORFOLK, Va. — A day after a deadly shooting in downtown Norfolk, flowers, cards and photos of Sierra Jenkins were gathered where shots rang out on Granby Street.
On Sunday, family and friends paid tribute to Jenkins, a Norfolk native, with a memorial outside of Chicho's Pizza Backstage.
Police say that both Jenkins and Devon Harris, of Portsmouth, died after a shooting took place near the 300 block of Granby Street early Saturday morning. Three other people were injured.
Both Harris and Jenkins were only 25-years-old.
Jenkins was a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.
Family, friends and community members held a vigil at Granby High School, Jenkin's alma mater, on Sunday night.
"I love my baby. I miss my baby," said Moniquekia Thompson, Jenkins' mother.
Thompson, who traveled from Georgia, said she is "broken" and "barely standing."
Jenkins graduated from Georgia State University and worked as an intern at Atlanta Magazine and CNN before joining The Pilot in December 2020, according to the newspaper.
Several people shared stories and memories of Jenkins as they mourned their loss.
“I’m very thankful for the memories I did have, and very thankful I ever got to know her," said friend Brianna Bennett.
“You take my baby’s peace that she left with you and apply to yourselves," Thompson told the crowd.
Maurice Jenkins, Sierra's father, said he wants people to remember Harris, too. Outside of Chicho's, Jenkins wrote Harris' name in chalk near his daughter's memorial.
As of Sunday, Norfolk police had not released any suspect information. On Monday, Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron issued a statement calling on the community to find solutions to gun violence:
"Following a violent weekend throughout Hampton Roads, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. It's times like this that we must come together as a community and spread the message that violence is not the answer. As leaders we need to be proactive and find meaningful ways to reduce crime in our streets. We must continue to have open dialogue about the violence plaguing our community and find constructive ways citizens can learn to resolve conflict. Healthy social skills need to be taught at an early age and continue to evolve through adolescence and adulthood. Our communities must come together for the betterment of our youth and their future."
Jenkins' family hopes for justice and closure soon.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. You can remain anonymous.