On the morning of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, a tragic shooting occurred in Richmond’s Highland Park neighborhood that left one teenager dead and two others severely injured. Just before 10 a.m., officers from the Richmond Police Department responded to a home in the 3100 block of 5th Avenue after reports of gunfire. Inside, they found 18-year-old Zion Terry deceased; he was a student at John Marshall High School and was only days away from attending his prom. Two other victims, a 38-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter, were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Levy Nelson, fled the scene in a gray Ford F-150, prompting a regional manhunt involving multiple agencies. Investigators believe the incident was domestic in nature, as Nelson was in a relationship with the adult victim and is the biological father of the 14-year-old girl. Using Flock license plate readers and community tips, authorities tracked Nelson’s vehicle to the East End of Henrico County.
Nelson was apprehended on Tuesday evening after a brief but violent pursuit. When Henrico County Police located him, Nelson reportedly rammed several police vehicles, causing minor injuries to one officer. He was eventually taken into custody and faces initial charges of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, though Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards indicated that additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Following the event, the 38-year-old mother’s condition has stabilized, but the 14-year-old girl remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras expressed devastation over the loss, noting the profound impact on the school community.