Erik Rondell McCorkle, a creative and beloved 24-year-old Black man with an entrepreneurial spirit, was known for bringing laughter and love to everyone he met. Born on January 2, 1992, in Center Moriches, New York, Erik moved to Hanover, Virginia, with his mother at age five. He graduated from Highland Spring High School in 2010 and was pursuing his dreams as a well-known local rapper, producer, and songwriter in the Richmond area. His family was the most important thing to him, and he was a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews. Described by his mother, Terri Hamilton, as her "heart," Erik was funny, entertaining, and had "ideas of grandeur." He was diligently working on his music, and his family cherishes a record he was creating before his life was tragically cut short.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 24, 2016, an argument between two groups escalated into deadly violence.
At approximately 2:44 a.m., Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University police were called to the 1300 block of West Broad Street, near the VCU Siegel Center, for reports of a shooting. Inside the common area of an apartment building, officers discovered three people with gunshot wounds. Erik, who was from nearby Highland Springs, was among the victims. All three were rushed to a local hospital, but Erik succumbed to his injuries. A female victim was left in serious condition, and another male victim sustained non-life-threatening wounds.
The Richmond Police Department’s Major Crimes detectives immediately began an investigation. They determined that the shooting was not connected to the university and that none of the victims were students. Believing there were many witnesses to the altercation and subsequent shooting, investigators appealed to the public for information. "With the right tip, we can make a quick arrest in this case," Major Crimes Captain James J. Laino said at the time. Witnesses were urged to contact Detective David Burt or Crime Stoppers with any information that could help.
Community cooperation proved vital, and just over a month later, the investigation led to a significant development. On August 24, 2016, Richmond Police detectives arrested 20-year-old Tavario E. Gates of Chester, Virginia, in connection with the homicide. Gates was charged with several felonies, including conspiracy to commit murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a concealed weapon. The arrest brought a measure of hope for justice to Erik's grieving family and the community. However, the legal proceedings took an unforeseen and tragic turn. In May 2019, before the case could be fully resolved in court, Tavario Gates was himself killed in a separate incident. There have been no public announcements regarding other suspects or arrests in Erik's murder.
In the years following his death, Erik's memory has been kept alive by his family and the Richmond community. He was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery after services at March Funeral Home. His legacy is also honored through public art. As part of the "More Than Art: Inner-City Mural Project," a vibrant mural featuring a smiling portrait of Erik and another victim of violence, Marcus-David Peters, was painted on a building on Hull Street. The project aims to beautify underserved communities and spark conversations about social issues.
Erik's sister, Eva Goodwin, drives past the mural every day. "Whenever I pass it, I say, ‘hey brother.’ I’m just so happy and so grateful," she said. His family hopes the mural serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of gun violence. "My hope is that people will see this mural, see the light and the life in his face, and it will be a reminder to stop the senseless gun violence," Goodwin stated. "No one wins. Both families lose; both families are at a loss. I wish they would understand that." As of August 2021, the case remains unresolved, with no further arrests made since the death of the primary suspect. Investigators continue to ask anyone with information to call Major Crimes Detective David Burt at 804-646-3913 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
