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NORFOLK

A Zuni woman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a Suffolk man that occurred the evening of March 1.

According to Daniel Hudson, public information officer for the Norfolk Police Department, Becca Banta, 24, was arrested on Tuesday for the murder of 25-year-old Patrick M. Cochrane of Suffolk. NPD officers discovered the victim shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday while responding to reports of a single-vehicle crash in a parking lot in the 700 block of East Little Creek Road, Norfolk.

Police say that Cochrane was inside of the vehicle and suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he later died. The NPD’s subsequent investigation revealed that Cochrane had initially been shot in the 7900 block of Orchid Avenue, Norfolk.

Banta was also charged with use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, conspiracy and accessory to murder. Her last known address is in the 5000 block of Duck Town Road between the Walters and Zuni communities.

One other suspect, Jeremy Harris, 27, of the 800 block of Pine Harbor Drive, Norfolk, was also charged in connection with the crime, and police are searching for a third suspect: Thomas Nesmith, 24, of the 7900 block of Orchid Avenue. Harris faces charges of second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and conspiracy, and Nesmith is wanted for the same.

Banta and Harris are both being held at the Norfolk City Jail without bond. Those who know the whereabouts of Nesmith, who is described as “armed and dangerous,” are asked to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.