Zion Terry was an 18-year-old senior at John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, described as a standout student with a 4.4 GPA and plans to study nursing at Winston-Salem State University. He was active on the track team, in the National Honor Society and the KRS Scholars–HBCU Bridge program, and had spoken to the school board about student mental health. Family and classmates remembered him as a protective older brother with an infectious smile.

On the morning of April 21, 2026, an argument inside the Highland Park home where Zion lived turned deadly when a man opened fire, fatally wounding Zion. His 14-year-old sister Sadie and their 38-year-old mother Tiffany were also shot; Sadie later died and Tiffany survived. Police identified Tiffany’s 41-year-old boyfriend, Levy Nelson, who is Sadie’s father, as the suspect. Nelson fled, was located that day after a pursuit, and taken into custody in Henrico County.

Nelson was initially charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm; a Richmond grand jury in May 2026 returned an indictment upgrading charges to include aggravated murder of multiple persons, child abuse, malicious assault and several weapons offenses. The case is proceeding through the court system. If anyone has information about Zion, Sadie, Tiffany or the events that morning, please share what you know.