Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Woman pleads guilty to conspiracy in connection with the murder of a Norfolk teacher

Fifty-year-old Caroline Hendrix died after she was shot on Dec. 31, 2017. Hendrix was a pre-K teacher at Oceanair Elementary School in Norfolk. (Photo courtesy of Norfolk Public Schools)
Fifty-year-old Caroline Hendrix died after she was shot on Dec. 31, 2017. Hendrix was a pre-K teacher at Oceanair Elementary School in Norfolk. (Photo courtesy of Norfolk Public Schools)

NORFOLK — A woman pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting death of Oceanair Elementary School teacher Caroline Hendrix.

Teniqu Rennae Cushman, 23, admitted to conspiring with her co-defendant Edward Shaw, 71, who is currently awaiting a trial scheduled to begin March 11. Shaw faces charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the Dec. 31, 2017 murder of Hendrix, a 25-year veteran of Norfolk Public Schools.

Related story: ‘I wish you well’: Slain pre-K teacher remembered as stellar educator

According to a news release from Norfolk police, investigators believe Shaw shot Hendrix, 50, several times while Hendrix was sitting in a car in the 300 block of Virginian Drive. Shaw was in turn shot by an acquaintance who was with Hendrix at the time.

Hendrix died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

An hour following the shooting, Chesapeake Police found Shaw in the 600 block of Happy Acres Road, in his car, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Related story: 70-year-old Utah man accused of murdering Norfolk pre-K teacher

Shaw allegedly told police he was shot after pulling over in his car on Interstate 64 near the Deep Creek exit. Police later reported they found no evidence to support the shooting happened as a result of road rage.

The Norfolk Police Department and Virginia State Police worked together to investigate the shootings and eventually charged Shaw.

Related Articles

MORE FROM AUTHOR