'An exceptional young man': Zion Terry, who was shot this week, will be honored as John Marshall's prom king on Saturday

Zion Terry, the John Marshall High School senior who died this week after being shot at home in Highland Park, was a “tremendous” student who excelled academically while offering support and friendship to his classmates, school leaders said this week. 

Terry died after being shot during an alleged domestic dispute on Tuesday. His 14-year-old sister and 38-year-old mother were also shot in the incident, with the teenager’s injuries described as life-threatening. A suspect in the shooting was arrested on Tuesday. 

In an email shared with the school system on April 22, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said Terry was on the cusp of a bright career and future, having overcome academic challenges while establishing himself as a well-loved member of the RPS community. 

“Zion always greeted everyone, students and teachers, in the school. He had an infectious smile, and brought joy to everyone around him,” Kamras wrote.

The superintendent said Terry was planning to pursue a career in nursing. He said Terry was “a natural nurturer.”

Kamras described a student who was solicitous of the well-being of his fellow classmates. He “spoke to the School Board just this February about the need for school counseling, college advising, and mental health supports,” Kamras said. 

 Terry was “a thoughtful, reflective young man who persevered through challenges and was always there for his friends and classmates,” he added. 

A ‘standout student’ with a ‘positive attitude’

Kristen Johnson, who with her husband Rufus runs the nonprofit KR Scholars, described Terry as an “incredible young man—bright, driven, and full of promise.”

KR Scholars distributes scholarships to students seeking to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Terry was a participant in the program and was slated to attend Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina. 

Terry “truly embodied the purpose of our work,” Johnson told The Richmonder. 

“He was a standout student with a 4.4 GPA and had 100% participation in every session of our bi-weekly HBCU Bridge program,” she said. 

Terry grew “tremendously” over the course of the scholars program, Johnson said; his life was “marked by excellence, growth, and a deep commitment to his future.”

Johnson said he had “clear aspirations of becoming a travel nurse and was actively working toward that goal.” In a scholarship application written by Terry and shared by Johnson, the young student said he had witnessed over time the vital role that nurses play in patient care. 

“Growing up, I have seen how important nurses are in supporting patients during difficult times,” he wrote. “Their ability to provide care and comfort inspired me to pursue this career. I want to become a nurse who not only treats patients but also shows compassion and understanding.

Johnson described Terry as “an exceptional young man in every sense.”

“Zion carried himself with a quiet confidence and maturity beyond his years,” she said. ”With a 4.4 GPA, strong involvement at school, and aspirations of becoming a travel nurse, he had an incredibly bright future ahead of him.”

Kamras noted that Terry overcame earlier academic stumbles to become a stellar academic student. The superintendent said Terry “[came] to high school in need of credits, and he worked hard to catch up and graduate on time. He more than did that.”

In a college essay application shared by Kamras, Terry wrote that when he realized the extent of his academic struggles early in high school, he “decided to treat the situation as a second chance.” 

“I began showing up to school consistently, asking questions when I did not understand material, and using extra help sessions to strengthen my weaknesses,” he said. “I became more organized by using planners and setting reminders. I also learned to manage distractions and prioritize long-term goals over short-term comfort.”

Terry said the experience taught him that “setbacks do not mean the end of success” but are “often the beginning of growth.” He described his long-term goal as “not only to succeed professionally but also to inspire others who may feel discouraged by setbacks.”

Beyond his academic success, Johnson noted that Terry was very active at John Marshall, including in extracurricular activities and sports. He also intended to mentor younger students in turn. 

“He engaged deeply with his peers and was preparing to give back this summer as a Youth Engagement Services intern with KR Scholars, mentoring students coming behind him,” Johnson said. 

Terry was scheduled to graduate from John Marshall in late May and was planning to attend the school’s prom on Saturday. He was running for the position of prom king, according to his classmates; his class is set to elect him as king posthumously. 

Friends and family of the late teenager told 12 On Your Side at a prayer vigil that Terry was “always smiling” and will “forever leave a lasting impression.”

“I knew the time was coming when I would walk into my office, and Zion wouldn’t be there because May 19th is a senior’s last day,” John Marshall guidance counselor Charita Harris said. “But it wasn’t supposed to be this early.”

Johnson, meanwhile, described him as “a true jewel of Richmond Public Schools, and someone who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”

She shared a memory in which Terry eventually made the decision to attend Winston-Salem State University, describing him as visibly “proud of that decision and the direction he was heading in.”

“He was genuinely excited about starting his college journey,” Johnson said. “Seeing his future ripped away is one of the toughest parts.”

She expressed hope that Terry’s life story “can reflect not only the tragedy of his loss, but the strength of his life, his aspirations, and the impact he made in such a short time.”