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Statement From Governor Glenn Youngkin: This morning, Suzanne and I are praying for the UVA community. Virginia State Police is fully coordinating with UVA police department and local authorities. Please shelter in place while the authorities work to locate the suspect.
On November 10, 2022 the Center for Digital Government announced the winners of the 2022 Digital Cities Survey, recognizing cities utilizing technology to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance transparency and digital equity, plan for the future of work, and more.The City of Roanoke placed 7th in the 75,000-124,999 population category, and has been recognized as a top 10 Digital City for more than 20 years. “Constituents expect more from modern governments. Our Digital Cities survey winners have worked hard to keep the focus on the needs of the communities they serve while implementing technology to improve delivery and execution,” said CDG Vice President Brian Cohen. “We congratulate them for leading the way towards a smarter and more responsive government.” The top 10-ranking cities in each of five population categories will be honored during the Digital Cities Awards event at the National League of Cities “City Summit” on November 17th in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Roanoke County, VA—November 12, 2022) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 6:08 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 to the 1400 block of Skyview Road, in the Ft. Lewis area, for the report of a residential structure fire. Upon arrival, units from Station 9 (Ft.Lewis) found a one story home with fire and smoke showing from the basement door and the front door. The home was not occupied at the time of the fire and was undergoing renovations. The fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes. The home did sustain a partial floor collapse. There were no injuries. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to investigate a cause and provide a damage estimate.
Griffin Newman
Update: Griffin Newman, 25, was arrested Tuesday night in Salem at 8:11 p.m. without incident. He is currently being held without bond. Newman is charged with Shooting within the City limits, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Eluding Police and Reckless Driving. On Monday night, he led police on a pursuit that resulted in two police vehicles being damaged and three officers suffering minor injuries.
Press Release: The Salem Police Department is asking that anyone with information related to an incident that occurred in Downtown Salem last night to contact them immediately. Detectives are currently investigating a “shots fired” event that took place in the 200 Block of East Main Street at 10:12 p.m. on Monday, November 7. Griffin Newman, 25, of Salem is wanted on various charges including Shooting within the City limits, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Eluding Police and Reckless Driving. The 911 call reported the incident occurred in the parking lot behind a Main Street business and additional information indicated the suspect had fled the scene on a motorcycle. Within minutes of receiving the call, a possible suspect was located, but the motorcyclist refused to stop for police. A pursuit ensued heading out of the city on West Main Street and the suspect was able to avoid apprehension. He was last seen traveling north on Wildwood Road. During the pursuit, two police cruisers collided at the intersection of West Main Street and Wildwood Road. Three officers suffered minor injuries in the crash, and they were transported to a local hospital for evaluation where they were treated and released. This investigation is ongoing, and anyone having information about the whereabouts of the suspect, or the incident is asked to call the Salem Police Department Detectives Division at (540) 375-3083.
Demarco Jackson
UPDATE: Roanoke Police have arrested Demarco C. Jackson, 23 of Roanoke, and charged him with First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony regarding the death of Demarion Sanders.
Throughout the course of the investigation, Detectives identified Jackson as the suspect in this homicide. Warrants were obtained for his arrest and RPD personnel began searching for Jackson. On September 24th, Jackson was located in Houston, TX and taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.
He was detained at the Harris County Jail and initially refused extradition. Jackson’s refusal delayed the process of returning him to Roanoke. However, on October 11ththe extradition was signed and we began preparing to bring Jackson back to Roanoke. Roanoke Police traveled to Harris County, TX and took custody of Jackson, then transported him back to Roanoke in the span of approximately 38 hours. Once Jackson was back in Roanoke, the above warrants were served and he was remanded into the custody of the Roanoke Sheriff’s Office.
This remains an active investigation and no further updates are available at this time.
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Wednesday, (Oct 26) at 2:02 a.m. on Interstate 81, at the southbound 158-mile marker, two miles north of Brughs Mill Road in Botetourt County.
A 1992 Nissan Sentra was traveling south on Interstate 81 at the 158-mile marker, when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a Jersey Wall.
The Nissan was driven by Richard J. Banville, 52, of Franklin, MA. Mr. Banville was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
MGN
Vinton, VA – On October 25, 2022, at 6:13 PM officers of the Vinton Police Department attempted to serve an Emergency Custody Order on a resident at the 700 block of Ramada Rd. Upon the officer’s arrival, the subject barricaded himself inside a locked bedroom inside the residence. Statements were made by the resident that compromised the safety of the scene if officers tried to gain access. Roanoke County S.W.A.T was called for assistance along with a negotiator team. At 9:24 PM, the subject surrendered and was taken into custody on the active Emergency Custody Order without further incident. The subject was transported to Lewis Gale Hospital for a medical evaluation. No injuries occurred to the officers or the subject during the incident.
A new survey is asking older Virginians about what resources they need and what services are working for them. Officials with the state department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services say the online survey seeks resident feedback about things like transportation, meals, and in-home support. The agency says information from the survey will help the agency plan services for the next several years.
You can access the survey by clicking the link below:
FINCASTLE, VA – On October 8, 2022, Botetourt County Sheriff Office Deputies responded to the Glen Wilton Park and Ride along Botetourt Road (Route 220) to find a deceased female lying in the gravel lot from an apparent gunshot wound.Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office detectives and an investigator with the medical examiner’s office examined the scene extensively. Detectives soon discovered that the victim’s car was found abandoned and burned in a secluded area of Bath County.
The body of the female victim was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke where an autopsy was performed, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. The office of the medical examiner has identified the victim as Elizabeth Hensley of Roanoke VA.The victim’s family has been notified and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Detectives have been working closely with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the High-Tech Crimes Division to determine the circumstances surrounding Hensley’s death, including following leads that have involved multiple jurisdictions. Certain details and updates crucial to this investigation have not been made public to protect the integrity of the investigation and to provide privacy for the victim’s family. Detectives working this case have found the crime, though horrific, was not a random act, and the public should not be deterred from their daily activities.
Detectives continue to request that anyone with information regarding this case to please contact the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office at 540-473-8631.