NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Markal Cook, 18, of Norfolk has been held in Virginia Beach City Jail since his May 29 arrest in connection to a shooting at Mount Trashmore.
And while he maintains his innocence, Virginia Beach Police say they have video of him firing a handgun into a crowd there on May 25. That incident resulted in the death of 15-year-old Jeyani Upshur.
Cook, who was also hit by gunfire in the altercation, is not charged with shooting anyone. Instead, he has been charged with possessing a concealed weapon — third offense, which is a felony.
Now, court documents are shedding light on his prior two concealed weapons charges.
If the evidence police have is accurate and he did fire a gun May 25, the documents also show that that incident would not the first time he fired a gun into a crowd.
On Nov. 20, 2021, Cook was stopped by police along with about 10 other minors near the 1000 block of East Indian River Road in Norfolk.
“While talking with Cook [an officer] asked him to lift his jacket. Cook lifted his jacket while holding on to something in both pockets,” a sworn police statement describing the incident reads. “When Cook lowered his jacket he bent over at the waist in an attempt to conceal what he had.”
Officers eventually uncovered two handguns in his pockets — a Taurus G2C 9mm and a Glock 16 9mm — along with a 31-round extended magazine. One of the guns was identified as stolen in August 2021.
He was originally charged with larceny/receiving a stolen firearm, minor possessing a handgun or assault rifle and two counts of carrying a concealed weapon in relation to that incident. It’s unclear if he was found guilty of any of the charges.
Less than two years later, on July 6, 2023, Cook was arrested in relation to a shooting that left a person seriously injured in Norfolk. Court documents describe police seeing him “running from area of gunfire, jumped fence, and then reentered area.”
“[H]e was ordered to stop and appeared to be repeatedly attempting to reach in front of pants while being detained and physically struggled with officers,” it reads. “A firearm was found tucked into front of pants. … Approx 30-40 rounds were recovered at scene, and accused admitted to firing shots during the incident, though he claims he fired in self-defense.”
Cook was charged with obstruction of justice, carrying a concealed weapon and trespassing after being forbidden. He had been previously banned from all Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties.
On Aug. 25, 2023, he pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a suspended 12-month sentence for each one.
Just 10 days prior, police had once again discovered a gun in his waistband.
“The accused told officers that he was given the handgun for protection in the neighborhood/safety,” a court document related to the incident reads.
“The accused also does not have a criminal history; however, he is pending the same charge that occurred a month ago,” it continues.
He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon on November 6, 2023 and sentenced to 12 months in jail with all but four days suspended.
In January 2024, Cook was arrested again — this time for “failing to report to jail on 11/16/23 on underlying concealed carry violation,” according to court documents. He was arrested while on the street during school hours.
“He seemed to have no understanding that he had 5-6 days of jail service that he needed to serve,” court documents stated.
On March 14, Cook was arrested for violating the trespassing order that banned him from NRHA properties.
“Officers observed the accused getting out of vehicle in Oakleaf Forest where he is banned,” a court document reads.
“The accused was cooperative with officers and magistrate,” it explains — a theme repeated in multiple arrest documents.
Prior to the Mount Trashmore incident, Cook was apparently last arrested in Norfolk in April for missing a court date related to a trespassing charge.
In a jailhouse interview on June 5, Cook told 10 on Your Side that he didn’t know any of the participants in the shooting at Mount Trashmore.
“Yes, I’m charged with a concealed weapon, but at the scene, I had no weapon on me,” he told 10 On Your Side, reiterating that he was only there to spend time with his cousin and girlfriend.
