Zion Terry was an 18-year-old Black male with an infectious smile and a future full of promise. A senior at John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, Zion was a standout student with a 4.4 GPA who was set to graduate third in his class. He was a member of the track team, the National Honor Society, and the KRS Scholars–HBCU Bridge program.
Described by school leaders as a "natural nurturer" and a thoughtful young man, he had earned a scholarship to Winston-Salem State University, where he planned to pursue his dream of becoming a travel nurse. He was known for being there for his friends and classmates, and had even spoken before the school board about the need for mental health supports for students.
On the morning of April 21, 2026, what began as an argument inside Zion’s Highland Park home turned deadly. A man opened fire, shooting Zion, his 14-year-old sister, Sadie Terry, and their 38-year-old mother, Tiffany Terry. Zion was pronounced dead at the scene. His sister Sadie, a bright eighth-grader at Henderson Middle School who dreamed of being an engineer in the military, was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died a few days later. Their mother was also hospitalized but survived her injuries.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community mourned the loss of the two siblings. At his high school, Zion was posthumously honored as the prom king, a tribute to the joy he brought to those around him. Friends and family remembered him as a beloved son and a protective older brother who was deeply proud of his accomplishments.
Police quickly identified Tiffany Terry’s 41-year-old boyfriend, Levy Nelson, as the suspect. Nelson, who was also Sadie’s father, fled the home after the shooting, prompting a manhunt. Using community tips and license plate reader technology, officers located his truck in neighboring Henrico County later that day. A short police pursuit ended after Nelson rammed several police vehicles. He was then boxed in and taken into custody.
Levy Nelson was initially charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. In May 2026, a Richmond grand jury handed down an indictment with upgraded charges, including aggravated murder of multiple persons, child abuse, malicious assault, and several weapons offenses. As of May 2026, the case was proceeding through the court system.
