Commonwealth v. Markal Dashown Cook; Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Murder of Teenage Girl at Mount Trashmore Carnival

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Markal Dashown Cook, age 21, of the 1300 block of Links Court in Chesapeake, Virginia, was sentenced on charges of Second Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm.  He was found guilty of these charges after a three-day jury trial on July 31, 2026. Circuit Court Judge Tanya Felton, who presided over the trial, sentenced Cook to 28 years in prison, with eight (8) years suspended, leaving twenty (20) years to serve. 

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on May 25, 2024, 15-year-old Jeyani Upshur went to a carnival at Mount Trashmore in the City of Virginia Beach with friends and family.  Markal Cook also went to the carnival that evening. A large group of males approached Upshur and Cook’s group and a physical fight broke out in a parking lot.  Cook fired at least two shots into the group, striking Upshur in the back of the neck.  The large crowd began to scatter in all directions after Cook’s first shot, and Upshur was struck as Cook continued firing.  Cook fled from the scene, leaving a shoe and a firearm in his path.  Cook was also shot during the melee and dropped to the ground a short distance away from the scene. 

Police and rescue personnel quickly responded to the scene.  Upshur was pronounced deceased at the scene. Cook was transported to the hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the upper back.  Cook provided several inconsistent statements throughout the investigation.  Detectives found a text message on his phone which stated that Cook shot because people in the altercation were going to shoot his brother.  Although witnesses reported hearing as many as five gunshots, only two shell casings were found at the scene, with another jammed in Cook’s gun.   

Cook has two prior convictions for misdemeanor Concealed Weapon offenses that involved firearms.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Charles D. Agerter and David R. Talmage prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.