In the spring of 2020, the life of a vibrant and determined young woman, Denell N. Brooks, was tragically cut short. A 23-year-old Black female, Denell was known for her kind, gentle, and fun-loving spirit, always wearing a big smile. Her life, full of promise and ambition, came to a sudden and violent end on the night of April 11th in Norfolk, Virginia.
Originally from Chesapeake, Denell was a graduate of Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, where her love for basketball flourished on the women's team. Her sense of duty and discipline led her to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps a path that would ultimately guide her to enlist in the Army National Guard after graduation. While serving her country, she also worked diligently at Damco, driven by a strong desire to succeed in life. Her adventurous and fearless nature was complemented by a creative side; she found joy in drawing and tattooing.
On that fateful Saturday night, at approximately 10:15 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a call about a gunshot victim in the 9500 block of 17th Bay Street in the Ocean View area of Norfolk. Upon arrival, officers discovered Denell suffering from gunshot wounds. She was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, but her injuries proved to be fatal, and she succumbed to them later that night.
The Norfolk Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation. Their initial inquiries led them to a suspect, another young woman named India R. Lowe. At the time, Lowe was 22 years old and a resident of Canton, Michigan. She was promptly arrested in connection with Denell's death. Authorities charged her with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Following her arrest, India R. Lowe was held in the Norfolk City Jail without bond. The investigation continued as detectives urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.
