Georgia State University community mourns shooting death of former Georgia journalist in Virginia

ATLANTA — The whole Georgia State University community is mourning after a former Atlanta journalist and GSU graduate was shot dead.

Police in Norfolk, Virginia are working to figure out who pulled the trigger.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington spoke with people at GSU who described Sierra Jenkins as bright and amazing.

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Georgia State University professor Maurice Hobson is still shocked and heartbroken.

“I will say this, this young woman left an indelible impression on me and I am better for knowing her,” he said.

He said he first saw his former student’s name in a headline on social media this weekend, then his heart sank as he read the details about the tragedy.

“And I was like, ‘No no no!’”

This past weekend, while at a downtown Norfolk, Virginia restaurant, someone opened fire. One of the bullets hit and killed Jenkins.

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The 25-year-old recently moved back to Virginia and started a new job as a newspaper journalist.

Before that, she graduated from GSU and worked at Atlanta Magazine and CNN. On Monday, CNN aired a tribute to Jenkins.

Om Sunday, her mother held a memorial in her daughter’s honor.

“I love my baby. I miss my baby,” Moniquekia Thompson said.

“She was not only my student, she was a mentee. She was one of my best and brightest,” Hobson said.

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Hobson said he knew his prized student would go on to do great things. He now plans to continue to tell her story and continue her legacy.

“Her Georgia State family, we stand with her family, and we will continue to carry her work forward,” Hobson said.

Another person was shot and killed during the shooting, and many others were hurt.

Police are still looking for the person who pulled the trigger.

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