Barbie Perez Shooting: Chesterfield County Mother, 27, Killed on Shady Creek Road – Arrest Made as 3-Month-Old Daughter Needs Similac Formula & Funeral Help.

A Life Cut Short: Remembering Barbie Perez

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA – The quiet residential blocks of Shady Creek Road in North Chesterfield are not accustomed to the crackle of gunfire. But on a drizzly Monday evening, just as families were settling into the rhythms of dinner and homework, the peace was shattered by a volley of shots that would end the life of a 27-year-old mother and leave a three-month-old infant without her mother’s arms to grow up in.

The Chesterfield County Police Department has identified the victim as Barbie Perez, a young woman described by relatives as fiercely devoted to her newborn daughter. Officers were dispatched to the 3400 block of Shady Creek Road at approximately 6:00 p.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired. When they arrived, they found Perez suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Rescue personnel attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Less than 48 hours later, police confirmed that an arrest had been made. Investigators stated that Barbie Perez and the suspect knew each other prior to the shooting – a detail that places this tragedy within the grim category of targeted domestic or acquaintance violence, though authorities have not yet released the suspect’s name or the exact relationship pending formal charges. “This was not a random act,” a department spokesperson said in a brief statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, especially her infant child.”

“Two Bursts, Then Silence”: Witness Accounts

Neighbors who live along Shady Creek Road – a modest, tree-lined street of single-family homes and rental duplexes – described a terrifying sequence of events. One nearby witness, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Rhonda, told local reporters that she was sitting on her porch when she heard what sounded like “multiple rounds in two separate bursts.”

“First, maybe five or six shots – pop, pop, pop, pop – then a few seconds of silence, then another four or five,” Rhonda recounted, her voice still trembling. “I hit the ground and called 911. After the second burst, you could hear a car speeding off, tires squealing. Then just screaming from down the street.”

Another neighbor, a retired veteran who declined to give his name, said he ran outside after hearing the first volley and saw a dark-colored sedan fleeing toward Jefferson Davis Highway (US-1). “I’ve been in combat. I know the difference between a car backfiring and gunfire. That was deliberate, and it was fast,” he said. “My heart sank when I saw the ambulances. Then we learned it was that sweet girl with the baby.”

By the time police tape cordoned off half the block, the sun had set over Chesterfield County, leaving the neighborhood in an eerie stillness broken only by the crackle of police radios and the quiet sobs of those who had known Barbie.

A Young Mother’s Legacy

For those who loved her, Barbie Perez was more than a victim of a headline-grabbing crime. She was a daughter, a friend, and most recently, a first-time mother who had welcomed her baby girl just three months ago. Family members describe Barbie as someone who “lit up a room” – a woman who loved dancing to Latin music, cooking big Sunday meals, and spending hours just watching her infant sleep.

“She was so excited to be a mom,” said a cousin who spoke on condition of family privacy. “Every picture on her phone was of the baby – the baby smiling, the baby yawning, the baby grabbing her finger. She used to say, ‘This little girl saved my life.’ Now we have to save the little girl’s life.”

The father of the child is reportedly in the picture, but family members say he is struggling to cope with the sudden loss while caring for a newborn. “He’s broken. He’s trying to be strong for the baby, but you can see it in his eyes – he lost the love of his life. Now he’s a single dad overnight,” the cousin added.

Barbie’s social media profiles, now serving as digital memorials, show a young woman who loved simple pleasures: a good cup of coffee, trips to the local park, and candid selfies with her daughter. In her last public post, just days before her death, she shared a photo of the baby wrapped in a pink blanket with the caption: “My whole heart in 7 pounds.”

The Immediate Crisis: Formula for a 3‑Month‑Old

While funeral arrangements are being made, the family faces an urgent, tangible need: feeding Barbie’s infant daughter. The baby relies on a specific type of Similac infant formula – a specialized blend that can be difficult to find in local stores due to ongoing supply chain disruptions. Relatives have put out an urgent call for donations of this exact formula.

Drop-off location: Jefferson Motors
9927 US-1, North Chesterfield, VA 23237

“We chose Jefferson Motors because it’s a central, well-known spot right on the highway, and the owner has been incredibly generous, allowing us to use his lot as a collection point,” a family spokesperson explained. “People can pull up any time during business hours and leave unopened containers of the Similac. We’ll make sure every can goes straight to the baby.”

The family has specified that they currently need Similac Pro‑Advance or Similac 360 Total Care (ready-to-feed or powder). No other brands or types are requested at this time, as the baby’s pediatrician has advised sticking to one formula to avoid digestive issues. Donors are asked to check expiration dates before dropping off.

GoFundMe for Funeral Expenses & Child Support

In addition to the formula drive, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover Barbie Perez’s funeral costs and provide ongoing financial support for her daughter. The page, created by a close family friend, has already begun attracting donations from across the Richmond metropolitan area and beyond.

GoFundMe link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/chesterfield-mom-barbie-killed-help-her-baby-funeral

“We are raising money for Barbie’s funeral and for her 3‑month‑old daughter’s future,” the organizer wrote. “Any amount helps. If you cannot donate, please share. And if you have the specific Similac formula, please drop it at Jefferson Motors. This baby cannot lose her mother and then go hungry.”

As of this writing, the campaign has raised several thousand dollars, but funeral costs alone in the Richmond area often exceed $7,000 to $10,000, and the family hopes to establish a small trust for the child’s education and daily needs. The page also notes that any excess funds will be donated to a domestic violence prevention charity in Barbie’s name.

Community in Mourning, Seeking Answers

Chesterfield County, a large suburban jurisdiction south of Richmond, has seen a modest but troubling uptick in gun violence over the past two years. According to data from the Chesterfield County Police Department, there were 12 homicides in 2024, a number that community leaders had hoped would decline. The killing of Barbie Perez marks the fourth homicide of 2025 within the county.

Local activists have begun organizing a small vigil, tentatively scheduled for this coming Sunday evening at the intersection of Shady Creek Road and Old Creek Lane. Candles, photos, and pink balloons – in honor of Barbie’s love for her daughter – are being planned. “We have to show that this community does not accept violence against mothers, against women, against anyone,” said Maria Flores, a neighborhood organizer. “Barbie deserved to see her baby grow up. The least we can do is stand in the cold with a candle and say her name.”

Meanwhile, the Chesterfield County Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the shooting. While an arrest has been made, investigators have not yet disclosed whether the suspect is being held without bond or what charges have been filed. A spokesperson said only that “the investigation is active and ongoing” and that additional details would be released once they clear legal and procedural hurdles.

Detectives are urging anyone who may have been in the area of Shady Creek Road between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. on the evening of the shooting to come forward. Even seemingly minor details – a car parked oddly, a person walking away quickly, a door slamming – could prove crucial.

Tips can be submitted to:

· Chesterfield County Police Department (non-emergency: 804-748-1251)
· Crime Solvers of Chesterfield (anonymously): 804-748-0660
· The P3 app (downloadable for iOS and Android)

A reward of up to $1,000 is available through Crime Solvers for information leading to a conviction. The family has privately added that they are “desperate for the full truth” and hope the suspect faces the maximum penalty.

The Larger Picture: Domestic Violence and Young Mothers

While police have not explicitly labeled the shooting a domestic violence homicide, the statement that Barbie and the suspect “knew each other prior” is consistent with statistics: According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner. For women aged 18 to 29, the risk is even higher.

“We see this pattern over and over – a young mother, a history of conflict, and then tragedy,” said Dr. Ellen Rafferty, a Richmond-based sociologist who studies family violence. “The postpartum period is an especially vulnerable time for women in abusive relationships. The stress of a new baby can escalate existing tensions, and leaving becomes logistically harder. It’s a public health crisis that plays out behind closed doors.”

Chesterfield County operates a domestic violence resource center – the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) – which offers emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling. Advocates there declined to comment on the Perez case but reiterated that anyone in a volatile relationship can call their 24‑hour hotline at 804-318-1960 for confidential support.

Barbie’s family has not publicly stated whether she had a prior history with the suspect, citing the ongoing investigation. However, a relative hinted at “red flags” in a tearful Facebook Live video: “We should have seen it. We should have done more. Now her baby has no mother.” The video has since been viewed over 50,000 times, with hundreds of comments expressing condolences and anger.

How to Help Beyond Donations

For those moved by Barbie Perez’s story who cannot donate formula or money, local leaders suggest several other actions:

1. Attend the vigil – Watch for updated details on the GoFundMe page or local news. Showing community solidarity can comfort grieving families and pressure officials to address gun violence.
2. Contact your county supervisor – Ask for increased funding for domestic violence shelters and youth programs that teach healthy relationship skills.
3. Share the GoFundMe and formula drive on social media – Use hashtags like #JusticeForBarbie, #ChesterfieldMom, and #SimilacDrive to keep the story visible.
4. If you own a business near US-1, consider becoming an additional drop-off point for formula. The family has said they may expand collection sites if demand exceeds capacity at Jefferson Motors.
5. Write to the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney – Urge a thorough prosecution. The office’s address is: P.O. Box 128, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

A Final Word: The Baby Left Behind

In the end, this story is not just about a shooting on a suburban street. It is about a three-month-old girl who will never know her mother’s voice except through videos. It is about a grandmother who now has to explain, one day, why mommy isn’t coming home. It is about a community that looked away for a moment and then heard gunfire.

Barbie Perez was 27 years old. She had decades of life ahead – first steps of her child, birthday parties, school plays, graduations. Instead, her obituary will be written in police reports and GoFundMe updates. Her daughter’s first word will not be “mama” in the way Barbie dreamed.

As the medical examiner’s office completes its work, and as the suspect awaits a bond hearing in the Chesterfield County Jail, those who loved Barbie are left with a single, driving purpose: to ensure her baby does not also suffer from hunger or want. The cans of Similac stacking up at Jefferson Motors are more than baby formula – they are a community’s small, desperate attempt to turn tragedy into care.

For those who wish to help:

· Drop formula – Jefferson Motors, 9927 US-1, North Chesterfield, VA (business hours M–F 9–6, Sat 10–3)
· Donate online – GoFundMe for Barbie Perez’s funeral & baby
· Submit tips – Chesterfield Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or P3 app

“She was only 27,” the family’s statement reads. “Her baby is only three months. If you can’t give money, give a prayer. If you can’t give formula, give a share. And if you know anything about what happened that night on Shady Creek Road, please, for the love of that little girl, speak up.”