On the evening of March 1, 2018, what initially appeared to be a single-vehicle crash in the 700 block of East Little Creek Road in Norfolk, Virginia, quickly turned into a homicide investigation. Responding to the call just after 9:30 p.m., police discovered 25-year-old Patrick M. Cochrane of Suffolk inside the vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and died.
Investigators soon determined that the crash was a tragic consequence of a violent act that had occurred minutes earlier. The investigation revealed that Cochrane had been shot in the 7900 block of Orchid Avenue before managing to drive away, finally crashing in the parking lot where he was found. A witness reported hearing an argument just before the sound of a gunshot and seeing a black car speed away as several people, including a female, fled the scene and ran towards nearby apartments.
The subsequent investigation led to the identification of three suspects in connection with the murder of Patrick Cochrane. Within days, on March 5, police arrested two individuals: Jeremy Harris, 27, and Becca Banta, 24, who was identified by Cochrane's family as his ex-girlfriend. The search for the third suspect, 24-year-old Thomas Nesmith, continued for several weeks. Described as armed and dangerous and a known gang member, Nesmith was believed to have fled to New York, prompting the involvement of the U.S. Marshals in the manhunt. A reward was offered for information leading to his capture, and he was eventually arrested on April 20, 2018.
All three suspects faced serious charges related to the death of Patrick Cochrane. Jeremy Harris was charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy. Becca Banta faced charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, conspiracy, and accessory to murder after the fact. Thomas Nesmith was also charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy. Following their arrests, all three were held in the Norfolk City Jail without bond.
