Man sentenced to 17 years for 2019 murder of Richmond fire lieutenant

A man charged in the 2019 shooting death of Richmond Fire Lieutenant Ashley Berry was sentenced to 17 years in prison following a plea deal, NBC12 reported. The shooting occurred on Thanksgiving night 2019 in Hopewell, where Berry was shot while shielding her 5-year-old son outside a home on Sunnyside Avenue.

The man, Darrell Taylor Jr., entered an Alford plea, which means he did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence for a conviction, WTVR CBS 6 reported. Taylor was indicted in August 2023, nearly four years after the incident.

Family and friends of Lt. Berry gathered in Hopewell Circuit Court for the sentencing hearing. Victim impact statements were shared, highlighting the loss felt by the community and the ongoing support for Berry's children.

Chenice Brown-Johnson, a close friend of Berry, said the sentencing brings some closure to the family and allows them to rest from revisiting the tragedy. Berry had been known for creating a women's group called 'Ladies of Diversity' to support and uplift women, a legacy her friends say they will continue.

The case marks an important step toward justice for the Richmond community and those affected by the loss of Lt. Ashley Berry, who was 33 at the time of her death.