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Hopewell Man Charged with 2019 Murder of Richmond Fire Lieutenant

Lt. Ashley Berry was killed while shielding her 5-year-old from gunfire

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Matt Demlein, WRVA

Hopewell, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - More than three years after Richmond Fire Lieutenant Ashley Berry was fatally shot while shielding her child from gunfire, a Hopewell man is facing charges in connection with the tragedy.

Darrell Donnell Taylor Jr. of Hopewell was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 8 on charges of Murder, Use of a Firearm While in the Commission of a Felony, Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Shooting into an Occupied Building.


Berry, a mother of three, was killed on Thanksgiving night 2019 in front of a home along the Sunnyside Avenue of Hopewell. She was shot while protecting her 5-year-old from the gunfire. An investigation into the incident has spanned years and is ongoing. Police now believe Taylor was the killer, but they do not believe Berry was the intended target.

“This tragic incident occurred almost four years ago and yet the officers and detectives working this investigation never gave up hope,” said Interim Police Chief Taylor in a statement. “This arrest serves as a reminder of our pledge to doing everything in our power to solve crime within our city. We will never stop seeking justice for our victims.”

The Hopewell Police Department is asking anyone with information that could aid in the investigation to call Hopewell Police at 804-541-2284 or Hopewell Prince George Crime Solvers at 804-541-2202.

Lt. Ashley Berry was killed while shielding her 5-year-old from gunfire