In late summer 2018, 21-year-old Sherece Cook of Louisa County was found inside her SUV on Peyton Avenue in South Richmond on August 10. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene; two children under the age of three were found unharmed in the back seat. Officers initially responded to reports of random gunfire that were updated to a person being shot before finding Cook in the driver’s seat.

Detectives treated the incident as a homicide and followed up with eyewitness accounts and community tips. On September 4, 2018, a multi-jurisdictional grand jury returned indictments in several recent city homicides, and 25-year-old Jimmie Smith of Chesterfield was charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with Cook’s death. The investigation remained active as authorities worked to ensure all responsible would be held accountable.

If anyone knew Sherece, saw activity on Peyton Avenue that day, or has information that could help the case, please share what is known.