Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras is calling on the community to center the lives of two students lost to violence, following the death of Henderson Middle School eighth-grader Sadie Terry.

Sadie died Friday from injuries sustained in a domestic violence shooting inside her family’s Highland Park home on April 21. Her brother, Zion Terry, an 18-year-old senior at John Marshall High School, was killed at the scene.

According to reporting from WTVR, police say their father, Levy Nelson, has been charged in connection with the shooting. Their mother survived and is recovering from injuries.

In a message to families across Richmond Public Schools, Kamras urged the community to remember Sadie not for the tragedy, but for the life she lived.

“Though their deaths are in the headlines, it is their lives that truly mattered.”

He described Sadie as “a vibrant personality” with a deep curiosity about the world, known for her resilience, creativity, and commitment to showing up each day with a bright smile.

“She lit up the rooms she walked into, was comfortable with herself, and was incredibly resilient.”

Kamras noted that Sadie had recently stepped into a leadership role at Henderson, mentoring younger students and advocating for fairness.

“She also had a strong sense of social justice, and always stood up for anyone who was being mistreated.”

The loss comes amid a broader crisis the superintendent says the city can no longer accept. In his message, Kamras pointed to a sobering reality:

“In the past seven years, we have lost more than 50 students to shootings. Each and every one of these young people was a bright light with the potential to change the world.”

Over the weekend, Zion’s classmates honored his life by crowning him prom king—recognizing a student remembered by school staff as compassionate and driven, with plans to attend Winston-Salem State University and pursue a career in nursing.

Kamras closed his message with a call to action, emphasizing that schools and communities must do more to protect young people from violence.