Man accused of murdering ‘innocent bystander’ mother shot in Sheffield to go on trial
A man will go on trial accused of murdering a mother who was shot outside a pub in Sheffield on Monday during the bank holiday.
Jemele Rhone, 30, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court via video link on Monday charged with the murder of Shanice Brookes, 30.
Ms Brookes was shot near the One Four One bar on West Street in the city center shortly before 2.45am on bank holiday Monday.
Detectives said the mother-of-one was “merely an innocent bystander”.
Rhone, of Outram Road in Sheffield, appeared on a video link to the prison with long dark hair, wearing a mask and sitting behind a desk.
Co-defendant Deiryen Dyce, 32, of Ellesmere Road North, Sheffield, appeared in the court dock next to a security guard.
Dyce is charged with assisting an offender, possession of ammunition, possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply and possession of criminal property worth £2,000.
Rhone is also charged with possessing a handgun and possessing criminal property worth £10,000.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC set a provisional trial date of January 4, 2027 for both defendants.
They were taken into custody and were not asked to make any defence. Another hearing will be held on July 13.
When the defendants appeared in magistrates’ court last week, prosecutors described the May 25 incident as an “alleged street shooting” and said Ms Brookes was a “completely innocent bystander”.
The mother of a 10-year-old boy was volunteering at Sheffield community charity Zest and was finishing his degree at Sheffield College.
In a statement released after his death, his family said: “He could light up any room he entered with his infectious laugh, beautiful spirit and magical aura.
“Shanice made people feel loved, safe and valued by simply being herself.
“He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love him.”
In another statement, Zest said Ms Brookes was “a truly beautiful soul who touched so many lives in our Zest family and the wider community”.
