In the early morning hours of November 28, 2021, a night of work turned tragic for 32-year-old Shevan Rochester in Richmond, Virginia. A Black man known affectionately as 'Von' or 'Jamaica,' Rochester was on duty as a security guard at the Thirst Bistro & Bar on the city's Northside. Around 4:11 a.m., the sound of gunfire pierced the quiet of the 2400 block of Northumberland Avenue, prompting a call to the Richmond Police Department.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered a grim scene.
Shevan Rochester was found with a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the location. Another individual, a woman, had also been shot, but her injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening, and she was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The incident was investigated as a homicide and aggravated assault.
Friends and family remembered Rochester as a 'gentle giant' with a 'contagious smile.' He was a dedicated father to his young daughter and the proud owner of his own security company, Top Flight. His commitment to his work and his community was evident in the numerous security positions he had held over the years at various establishments and events throughout Richmond. His mother expressed immense pride in his accomplishments and his entrepreneurial spirit.
In the wake of the shooting, the community mourned the loss of a man described as a protector. A vigil was held in his honor at the site where his life was cut short. Despite the ongoing investigation by the Richmond Police Department's Major Crimes detectives, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the death of Shevan Rochester. Authorities have continued to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case.
