Web Staff
UPDATED 12:15 pm — Roanoke Police report Shakhia has been located and is safe.
EARLIER: Roanoke, Va.- On May 5, 2016 at 1:17 a.m. Roanoke Police received a missing persons report on Shakhia Launiece Pannell, age 12, of Roanoke. Family members told officers that Shakhia ran away from her residence in the 1300 block of Memphis Street SE. She was last seen by family members at 10 p.m. on May 4th. Officers have been searching potential addresses and locations in an attempt to locate her. Anyone having information on Shakhia’s immediate whereabouts should call 911. If you have any information that might help find her, please call our tip-line at 540-344-8500. The family describes her as being 5’8” and weighing 200 lbs. The family says she was wearing a red hoodie and black pants, and has a scar on her right wrist. She was also wearing a silver Pandora bracelet and a pink “fitbit.”
Zion Williams
Joshua Williams
UPDATE: State Police report Zion has been safely recovered. The Amber Alert is cancelled.
From VA-Amber Alert: The Spotsylvania County Sheriffs office is looking for 3-year-old Zion Clinton Amir Williams. He’s 3’5″, 35 lbs. He is black and has brown eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a blue and white Cars diaper. Zion is believed to be in extreme danger and was last seen in Spotsylvania County. He was likely abducted by 28-year-old Joshua Christopher Williams. He’s 5’11” 160 lbs. he’s black with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a navy blue and gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.
State police say the suspect assaulted Zion’s mother before he took him. The vehicle Joshua Williams was believed to be traveling in with Zion has been located but neither Williams or Zion have been found.
If you have any information contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs office at (540)582-7115 or Virginia State Police at 1-800-822-4453 (1-800-VACHILD).
UPDATED TUESDAY 5:15 pm — From Roanoke Police: At 2:30 p.m. on May 3, 2016, officers conducted a traffic stop in the 2200 block of Centre Avenue NW and took Adrian Tremaine Simmons, age 25, of Roanoke into custody on a warrant charging him with the murder of Kendall Lamont Wallace, age 35, of Roanoke. The murder occurred on April 30, 2016 in the 100 block of Campbell Avenue SE. He was taken into custody without incident. The U.S. Marshals Task Force assisted in the apprehension of Simmons.
Simmons was taken to Roanoke City Jail and is being held without bond. The investigation is on-going.
PREVIOUSLY — Roanoke Police say the victim of the Campbell Avenue homicide has been identified as Kendall Lamont Wallace, age 35 of Roanoke. Officials say detectives are continuing to gather witness statements and analyze evidence.
At this point the suspect is described as a black male, between the ages of 25 to 30, between 5’8″ to 5’10” tall, and medium build. Anyone with information can call our tipline at 540-344-8500. Callers can remain anonymous. Continue reading to see the original press release.
Robert Wozniak
From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Bedford County 911 dispatchers received a call from a home owner on Trapper Lane in the Stewartsville area who reported finding a barrel at their residence containing possible human remains. Bedford County sheriff’s deputies and investigators responded and determined the remains were human. The caller told the investigators that the barrel belonged to Robert Wozniak. Wozniak had rented a room from the caller since January 2016. Prior to moving to Bedford County, Wozniak resided in the City Of Roanoke. Investigators processed the scene and suspect the remains are several months old. The remains were transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke for identification and to determine possible cause of death. On Saturday Robert A. Wozniak, age 47, was arrested and charged with Disposing of a Body with Malicious Intent to Avoid Detection and four counts of Obtaining Money by False Pretense. He is being held in the Bedford Adult Detention Center without bond.
The State Board of Elections has approved changes to the voter registration form, making it easier for voters register to vote by cutting down on confusion. The Board used feedback from registered voters and election officials in making the changes. More from WFIR Intern Reporter Clark Palmer:
Here’s the press release from the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs: The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs are pleased to announce that Sam Ftorek has been named as the first-ever head coach of the organization. After concluding a magnificent 17-year playing career during the 2014-15 season, Ftorek made the transition to coaching and guided the Kalamazoo Wings to the ECHL playoffs this season as assistant coach. “We are ecstatic to have Sam join the Rail Yard Dawgs. We had a number of applicants for this position and it was important for us to hire someone who not only had great knowledge of the game, but also the ability to teach and grow our players, and most importantly, the desire to be an ambassador to the Roanoke community,” said Dawgs Vice President Mickey Gray. Sam was a great fit in every single category and he is going to be a great addition to this organization and community.” “My family and I are excited to be a part of the organization that is bringing hockey back to Roanoke,” said Ftorek. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch and learn from many great hockey minds and I’m really looking forward to starting this next stage of my career with a first-class organization that is taking the necessary steps to secure instant success on and off the ice.” When he was a player, Ftorek was known as a skilled forward, who for the betterment of his team reinvented himself as a solid and prolific scoring defenseman. During the 2013-14 season, at the age of 39, Ftorek led all ECHL defensemen in scoring with 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists). For his efforts, Ftorek was named to the ECHL’s First-Team. In total, Ftorek played in 1,097 career games as a player, including an ECHL record 837 contests. In his career, Ftorek has always been viewed as a leader including being one of the team captains in each of his six seasons with the Wings.” Coming from an excellent pedigree, Ftorek is the son of Robbie Ftorek, who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings (2), Quebec Nordiques (3) and the New York Rangers (3). Robbie Ftorek also possesses an impressive coaching resume with 23 years experience, 10 of which were in the NHL. Ftorek, his wife, Misty, along with their three children will be moving to Roanoke in the near future.
From Roanoke County Public Schools: VINTON – The Roanoke County School Board has named Tammy Newcomb as the new principal at William Byrd High School (WBHS), effective July 1. Newcomb replaces Dr. Richard Turner who will retire at the end of the current school year.
Newcomb began her tenure at Roanoke County Public Schools in 1991 as a teacher at WBMS where she taught English and Math for 12 years. In 2003, she was named the assistant principal at W.E. Cundiff Elementary School. Two years later, Newcomb became the principal at Green Valley Elementary School. In 2011, Newcomb returned to WBMS as principal, where she continues to serve today.
Newcomb, a graduate of William Byrd High School, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Radford University and a Masters Degree from Virginia Tech. She is endorsed in administration and supervision by the VDOE.
“Tammy has shown outstanding leadership at William Byrd Middle School,” said Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Killough. “I’m very pleased she will continue to be a leader in the William Byrd community and will carry on the Terrier tradition,” Dr. Killough said.
From Roanoke County Public Schools: ROANOKE – The Roanoke County School Board has named Dominick McKee as the new principal at Northside High School, effective July 1. McKee previously served as assistant principal at NHS from 2009-2014.
McKee is a 2002 graduate of Radford University with a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Human Development. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Radford University. He currently is seeking his doctorate from American University and he is endorsed in administration and supervision by the VDOE.
McKee first joined Roanoke County Public Schools in 2002 as a counselor at Hidden Valley High School. In 2007, he became an assistant principal at Hidden Valley Middle School. He moved to Northside High School as an assistant principal in 2009. In 2014, he moved to central office as the supervisor of human resources.
“Dominick has the respect of the entire staff at Northside, and I know he will be an outstanding leader and principal, just as he was an outstanding assistant principal before coming to central office,” said Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Killough. “I’m very pleased he will be returning to Northside and I’m confident he will continue the Viking pride,” Dr. Killough said.
From Roanoke City Police: On April 23, 2016 at 1:13 a.m. Roanoke Police responded to a report of an attempted robbery at the Papa John’s in the 4500 block of Williamson Road NW. The suspect, seen in the attached photo, had already left the scene on foot before officers arrived. A Papa John’s employee told officers the suspect walked into the business and demanded money from the cash register. The employee said the suspect displayed a large knife. The suspect left the store without obtaining any money or property. He’s described as being between 5’8″ to 5’10” and weighing approximately 160 lbs. Anyone with information can call our tipline at 540-344-8500. Calls can be anonymous. You can also send an anonymous text message to CRIMES [274637]. Please start your text message with the keyword RoanokePD: to ensure that it’s properly sent.