HOPEWELL, Va. -- Police are in the early stages of a homicide investigation after a veteran Richmond firefighter was killed in a shooting Thanksgiving night in Hopewell.
Lt. Michael Langford with Hopewell Police said officers were called to the 1000 block of Sunnyside Avenue for a call for "shots fired and an individual who had been shot" just before 11:40 p.m.
"Upon arrival, officers along with Emergency Medical Services located a single adult female victim who had sustained serious gunshot-related injuries," Langford said.
The victim was taken to John Randolph Medical Center, but was transferred to VCU Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, Langford said.
Police said a silver or gold-colored SUV was spotted leaving the shooting scene at "a high rate of speed."
A witness told CBS 6 Senior Reporter Wayne Covil that a child was with the victim when she was shot.
Fire officials: Mother of 3 'will be missed but never forgotten'
Police identified the victim as 33-year old Ashley Berry of Chesterfield.
Richmond Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Christopher Armstrong confirmed Berry was a member of the department who recently joined the Fire Marshals Office.
According to the city's online records, Berry was a lieutenant assigned to Fire Station 21 on Jefferson Davis Highway.
"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of one of our members," officials posted on the department's Facebook page. "Lt. Berry was a valued member of our Fire Department family and the community as she served proudly since January 29, 2011... She leaves behind three children. Please keep Lt. Berry's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. She will be missed but never forgotten."
Condolences from across Central Virginia
News of Lt. Berry’s death has prompted condolences from firefighters and law enforcement from across Central Virginia.
Lt. Berry helped deliver Thanksgiving meals to needy families.
Reporter Shelby Brown, who founded the outreach organization Mission From The Heart, said she recently met Lt. Berry.
"We just met a few days ago and volunteered together when she and her team delivered Thanksgiving meals to needy families," Brown said.
Police urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or was traveling in the area to call Lead Detective Mark Polumbo of the Hopewell Criminal Investigations Unit at 804-541-2284 or respond anonymously to Hopewell Prince George Crimesolvers hotline at 804-541-2202 or using the P3tips mobile app.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.
