NORFOLK, Va. - A memorial for the Virginian-Pilot reporter who was shot and killed on Granby Street Saturday morning still stands at Chichos.
Reporter Sierra Jenkins was a bystander to senseless gun violence. The incident happened near the Chichos Pizza, and it took the life of semi-pro football player, Devon "Malik" Harris, from Portsmouth, too. Additionally, three more people were hospitalized after the shooting.
During a virtual meeting with the Downtown Norfolk Civic League on Monday, Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone stated that the shooting was the result of an argument over a spilled drink.
Two blocks away from the blossoming memorial in front of Chicho's sits Freemason Street Baptist Church.
"We are taking these to employees at Chicho's as a way to show care," said Caitlin Childers Brown, a church member.
"We minister wherever the need is," said another church member, Jack Ferguson.
A delivery to the employees who also witnessed unthinkable tragedy Saturday outside where they work.
"This is a tragic situation. Of course, attention to victims, which is natural, but [people] tend to forget about employees' impact. [It was] no fault of their own a tragedy occurred," said Ferguson.
Outside the memorial Tuesday for 25-year-old Harris and 25-year-old Jenkins sat Drew Ferebee.
"I would sit here all day if I could," said Ferebee.
Ferebee, Jenkins' best friend, says she met Sierra seven years ago at Tidewater Community College, just steps away from where she was killed.
"It just feels like I can feel her spirit here. It is nice to sit and see all flowers and nice things people say about her," said Ferebee.
We watched as Ferebee sat for more than four hours just to honor the budding journalist.
"Sierra was special - the most special person I ever met in my life," she said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, another passerby offered a gesture of hope and healing - this one in the form of shoe laces.
"These people are gone now, but their families are just left broken and lost," said Lindsay Combs.
Combs, a convicted felon who spent 10 months in prison, also started the Walking It Out Foundation while inside to help lift the spirits of fellow prisoners.
"Walk it out instead of coming out of a bar and you're mad about a spilled drink. Just walk it off; walk it off. Why did this situation have to be a thing?" said Combs.
The laces representing in this tragedy that we are all tied together and not alone.
"It is the healed people that need to be helping these hurt people," said Combs.
Chief Boone stated Tuesday they have no suspects at this time and can't say how many shooters there were.
Officials say Norfolk Police will be stepping up patrols in the Downtown Norfolk area starting this Thursday.
If you or someone you know has information in this case that could help police, take action and call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).
