A 25-year-old news reporter was fatally shot over the weekend when she was caught in the crossfire in Norfolk, Virginia 11 Alive Atlanta reported. Sierra M. Jenkins, of Norfolk, was a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press died at the hospital after being struck by five bullets. Jenkins earned a degree in journalism from Georgia State University in December 2019 and worked as an intern at CNN and Atlanta Magazine before becoming employed by The Pilot in December 2020.

Jenkins father, Maurice Jenkins went to visit Granby Street after seeing one of the last places his daughter visited before she was killed.

Jenkins celebrated her 25th birthday on March 13th. “She was a reporter for the Virginian Pilot,” Jenkins said. “She started out as a breaking news reporter and not too long ago switched over to cover education.”

Jenkins was out in downtown Norfolk on the 300 block of Granby Street when the shooting happened before 2 a.m.

Two people, including Sierra, were taken to the hospital. According to police, two other people were shot but are expected to live.

Jenkins says Sierra was a bystander and was just hanging out with friends who were in town.

“They decided to go out and something bad happened,” her fatther said. “She was just a great all-around person. She was a great daughter, a great sister, a great friend.”

Maurice says his daughter was bubbly, loved her family and had a lot of plans for her life.

“Had all kinds of life and opportunity ahead of her, but it was cut short because of senseless violence,” Jenkins said.