Two people have been charged after an ‘entirely innocent’ mother – who planned to take her son to Arsenal’s victory parade this weekend – was shot dead in Sheffield on Monday morning.
Digital creator and photographer Shanice Brookes, 30, died after being shot outside One Four One bar in the city centre at around 2.45am.
The shooting came after a confrontation on the street in which Shanice was not involved.
Jemele Rhone, 30, and Deiryen Dyce, 32, have both been charged following Brookes’s death.
Rhone, from Sheffield, did not appear at a scheduled hearing on Friday at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court where a district judge remanded him in custody.
His has been charged with murder, possession of a firearm and possession of criminal property, namely £10,000.
Rhone’s solicitor Rovena Zogaj said he had asked not to appear in the dock for the short hearing due to his ‘mental health’, and District Judge Tim Spruce agreed that he should not be produced from the cells.
Dyce, also from Sheffield, did appear in the glass-fronted dock flanked by three security guards.
Digital creator and photographer Shanice Brookes was killed in the early hours of Monday morning
Shanice, who had worked as a child and youth worker for the past five years, was treated by officers and paramedics but died in hospital
The court heard that she is charged with assisting an offender, possession of ammunition, possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property, namely £2,000.
Both defendants were remanded in custody by Judge Spruce and are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.
A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been released and is no longer a suspect, South Yorkshire Police said.
Shanice had been due to take her son to Arsenal’s victory parade this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side are due to hold a procession through the streets of north London on Sunday after they won the Premier League last week – the club have another chance of silverware in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Her cousin Tyler-Jay Reid told Good Morning Britain Shanice was ‘so excited’ to take her ten-year-old to the Emirates stadium.
‘Something like that has now been ripped apart from him,’ Ms Reid said.
‘She’s so selfless, she’s not even a massive fan but she was putting it aside for her son, and she was going to take him to the Emirates.’
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles, the senior investigating officer, said mother-of-one Ms Brookes was ‘an entirely innocent bystander who should’ve been able to enjoy a night out in our city without the fear that she wouldn’t come home safely’.
He added: ‘Shanice’s family, including her young son, now face the harrowing reality that they will never get to see her again.
‘They are having to grieve the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter, friend and mother in the most tragic of circumstances. Our thoughts remain with them.
‘From the outset of this investigation our priority has been clear – to provide answers for Shanice’s loved ones – and today’s development is a significant step in our commitment to do so.
‘Monday’s incident has shown how gun crime destroys families and brings devastation to our communities.’
The mother-of-one had been due to graduate from university this month
Her family said she was ‘truly one of a kind’, adding that she was ‘an amazing mum to her son, who meant the world to her’
Police pictured at the scene of the shooting on Monday near One Four One bar in Sheffield
DCI Knowles said officers were still appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
‘This awful incident happened on a busy Bank Holiday weekend where there were loads of people in the area,’ he said.
‘Anyone who has any information which may assist us to urged to come forward, either by contacting South Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers, anonymously.’
A tribute to Shanice from her family called the her ‘truly one of a kind’.
‘Shanice had the biggest heart and the kind of energy you could never forget,’ their statement, released through police, said.
‘She was a deeply loved daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend and godmother, as well as being an amazing mum to her son, who meant the world to her.
‘To her cousins, she was more like a sister – someone they could always turn to for love, laughter and support.
‘Shanice was also due to graduate from university, a reflection of her determination, ambition and the bright future ahead of her.’
Her LinkedIn showed she had been studying photography, videography and graphic design for a three-year bachelor’s degree at The Sheffield College since September 2023 and was due to finish this month.
The family’s tribute continued: ‘She could light up every room she walked in to with her infectious laugh, beautiful soul and magical aura.
‘Shanice made people feel loved, safe and valued simply by being herself.
‘She was truly one of a kind and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love her.’
Ms Brookes, who left a 10-year-old son, worked for the Sheffield community charity Zest and was about to finish a degree at Sheffield College.
The college’s chief executive and principal Angela Foulkes said on Friday that Ms Brookes had been preparing to exhibit her final work ahead of graduating this summer, adding: ‘Her creative potential was clear to everyone who worked with her.’
She said: ‘The loss of Shanice in such shocking circumstances is devastating to all who knew her and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with them at this time.
‘Shanice was a vibrant and positive person whose enthusiasm for life and learning was genuinely inspiring.
‘An exceptional student and talented visual creative, Shanice had a promising future and was about to complete a BA Honours Degree in Creative Practice with us.’
Ms Foulkes said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of Shanice who will be sorely missed by students and staff alike and who will remember her with immense warmth and affection.’
In a statement, Zest said Ms Brookes was ‘a truly beautiful soul who touched so many lives within our Zest family and wider community’.
