The death of a Richmond firefighter who was the victim of a Thanksgiving Day shooting was ruled as an accident by police as victim was believed to be “not the intended target”.

Lieutenant Ashley Nicole Berry, also a mother of three, was fatally shot when shielded her young son from a shooting that took place outside of her boyfriend’s Hopewell home on Thursday.

“We believe she was protecting her child,” Hopewell Police Chief Kamran Afzal said. “She was not the intended target and neither was the house she was at; the apartment next to it was the target. She was definitely at the wrong place at the wrong time and was hit by a stray round.”

According to AP News, Berry, 33, was celebrating Thanksgiving at her fire fighter boyfriend’s home and was preparing to leave when the gunfire started.

Around 11:39 p.m., Hopewell police responded to a shooting incident at 1000 Sunnyside Avenue and arrived to find Berry with serious injuries.

Berry was treated at the scene and was rushed to John Randolph Medical Center and then to VCU Medical Center for further treatment before being pronounced dead by medical staff.

Police reported seeing a gold or silver SUV leaving the scene at a very high speed, however, it was still unclear whether the shooter fired from the vehicle or stopped and got out before shooting, Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

On Tuesday, police declared that the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered a reward of $5000 for information about the suspect.

A Chesterfield County resident, Berry had served with the fire department since 2011 and was recently assigned to the fire marshal’s office.

At least four people were injured in the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita -- three of whom were in critical condition
At least four people were injured in the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita -- three of whom were in critical condition AFP / Johannes EISELE

Richmond Fire Chief Melvin Carter said that other families in the area are being affected by the “unthinkable violence”.

“Ashley’s motherly instinct allowed her to protect her young son from the hail of gunfire, which in turn caused her to lose her life,” George Berry III, the victim’s cousin said in a news conference. “She was a beloved mother of three and will forever be her children’s hero.”

Berry’s family thanked the community for their support and to plead with the public to help them discover leads in the case.

“To the persons or person who caused us this pain, we appeal to your conscience to do the right thing and turn yourself in to the authorities,” George Berry said.

George Berry requested that anyone with information on the case could contact Hopewell police Detective Mark Polumbo at (804) 541-2284 and anonymous tips can be directed to the Hopewell Prince George Crime Solvers hotline at (804) 541-2202.

Thanksgiving