Crime and Public Safety
(update) The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office estimates the total damages of this fire at $41,800. The injured firefighter has been released from the hospital. This fire remains under investigation.
Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 to the 100 block of Highland Road, in the Town of Vinton, for the report of a residential structure fire. First arriving crews from Station 2 (Vinton) found a two-story wood frame structure that was fully involved in fire. Witnesses confirmed the structure was an abandoned home and no one was inside. That fire then caught an adjacent abandoned two-story wood frame home on fire. No one will be displaced as no one was living in either house. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The fire was brought under control in approximately one hour. We appreciate the assistance of multiple units from Roanoke Fire and EMS on this call. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene and reports that the fire is under investigation and both houses will be a total loss. A dollar estimate of damages will be available later.
On April 23, 2023 at approximately 1:20 a.m., Roanoke Police were on patrol in the Downtown area when they heard gunshots coming from the 100 block of Campbell Avenue SE. Responding officers located two victims, an adult male lying outside of a business in the area and adult female inside of that business, with gunshot wounds. The woman’s injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening. The man’s injuries appeared to be critical. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported both victims to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
While officers were on scene, they were advised that another adult male with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound had arrived at the hospital via personal vehicle. The investigation indicated this third victim was also injured at the shooting on Campbell Avenue SE.
As officers were continuing their investigation at the scene on Campbell Avenue SE, they were advised that the male victim with the critical gunshot wound had succumbed to his injuries. This is now an active homicide investigation.
No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. Details about what led to the shooting are limited. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a residential structure fire at 16 McDivitt Road Saturday morning at approximately 5:59 a.m. Two people were inside the home at the time of the incident, but both occupants exited safely, and no one was injured.
The first units arrived within 5 minutes of receiving the 911 call and found fire along the exterior wall of the mobile home. It took firefighters 25 minutes to contain and extinguish the fire and the mobile home sustained an estimated $10,000 in damages. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating the cause.
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The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a commercial structure fire at 2011 Apperson Drive at
approximately 4:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The first units arrived at Virginia Industrial Cleaners & Equipment within five minutes of receiving the 911 call and found heavy smoke in the V.I.C.E. showroom area.
It took firefighters 35 minutes to contain and extinguish the fire that was discovered in the office area. The
building sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage and a portion of Apperson Drive near the business was closed until firefighters cleared the scene. Currently, the Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has not determined a cause of the fire and there are no damage estimates.
(from Roanoke PD) On April 21, 2023 at approximately 12:20 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of shots fired in the 700 block of Tazewell Avenue SE. Responding officers located property damage to several vehicles and evidence of a shooting.
As officers were on scene, they were notified that a person with a gunshot wound had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. Officers responded to speak with the adult male victim, who was being treated for what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time.
PRESS RELEASE
This press release is provided to give a very general overview of the circumstances surrounding the homicide which occurred at the Grandin Road 7-11 located at 1410 Grandin Road, S. W., Roanoke City, on Sunday evening, April 16, 2023, shortly before 9:00 p.m.
The homicide itself appears to be the result of a spontaneous argument/confrontation over a tobacco product purchase between a
7-11 store clerk, identified as Isaiah Carl Baldwin, and a customer identified as Steven Don Crowder. As a result of the confrontation, Mr. Crowder was shot and killed by Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin immediately left the 7-11 following the shooting.
The Roanoke City Police responded immediately to the 7-11 and, following investigation which included statements from witnesses on the scene as well as a review of video camera footage, obtained a Second Degree Murder warrant for Mr. Baldwin at 2:13 am on Monday, April 17, 2023. This warrant was served at 12:27 pm that same day.
Mr. Baldwin was arraigned in the Roanoke City General District Court this morning where he was appointed a Public Defender to represent him and a Preliminary Hearing date is scheduled for May 27, 2023 at 9:00 am. Please bear in mind that Mr. Baldwin is presumed to be innocent and that presumption of innocence will continue until his charges are resolved in court.
– Donald S. Caldwell Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke
UPDATE: Roanoke Police have arrested Isaiah C. Baldwin, 20 of Roanoke, and charged him with Second Degree Murder regarding this homicide investigation.
Baldwin was identified as a suspect in the early stages of the investigation. The warrant was obtained overnight and officers immediately began searching for him. He was taken into custody earlier today by the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force without incident. He was transported to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with detectives and then was remanded into the custody of the Roanoke Sheriff’s Office.
(previously) A man is dead following a reported shooting near the 7/11 in the 14 hundred block of Grandin Road in Southwest Roanoke. No suspects were found on scene last night and no arrests have been made.
On April 12, 2023, Investigators with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Virginia State Police and the DEA, were attempting to execute a search warrant on a vehicle operated by Najiee Turner.
While attempting a takedown of the vehicle at the Go Mart, located at 1110 East Main Street inside the town of Bedford, Turner placed the vehicle in reverse striking a Bedford County Sheriff’s Office vehicle while it was occupied, and he proceeded to flee in his vehicle, almost striking another Deputy. A lengthy pursuit ensued which led Deputies through the Town of Bedford and into the County where Turner lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The pursuit ended in the area of Wyatts Way and Bethel Church Road where Turner was taken into custody without further incident.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office located a large amount of Fentanyl pills (Approximately 6,000 with a street value of approximately $120,000.00) in the area of where the pursuit took place and Turner was charged with the following Felony Charges:
-Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-25/18.2-31
-Attempted Malicious Wounding of a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-26/18.2-51.1
-Assault and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer – 18.2-57
-Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement – 46.2-817
-Possession with the Intent to Distribute Narcotics (Fentanyl) – 18.2-248
We also conducted another Search Warrant at Turner’s residence and over $11,000 in cash was recovered and this is still an active investigation.
The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to an apartment fire Thursday evening at approximately 7:05 p.m. First responders arrived within two minutes of receiving the call and found heavy smoke coming from a first-floor apartment and light smoke coming from the attic of the Glenmary complex, located just off West Main Street. All occupants who were inside made it out safely, but one person was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Approximately seven residents were evacuated from the building and three dogs also were safely removed by fire personnel.
Crews began an interior fire attack and primary search of the building as soon as they arrived. Firefighters brought the fire under control within 10 minutes of arrival, but one apartment did sustain moderate fire, smoke, and water damage. The Salem Fire and EMS Department greatly appreciates the quick actions of a neighbor who utilized a fire extinguisher before crews arrived and helped limit the damage. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire and determined that it was accidental and caused
by unattended cooking. Damage from the fire is estimated at $30,000. One resident was displaced by the fire and is staying with family.
Roanoke Police are at the scene of a barricaded subject inside a residence near 16th Street SE and Carlisle Avenue SE. There is a heavy police presence in the area (as of 1pm), and RPD will be there for some time. Please avoid travel in the Brownlee Ave SE, Carlisle Ave SE, Gordon Ave SE, and 16th St SE area as our officers work to safely take this wanted subject into custody. This post will be updated when the situation is resolved.
On April 10, 2023 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Roanoke Police we’re notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1600 block of Salem Avenue SW. Responding officers located three victims — two juvenile males, one adult female — with gunshot wounds. All three appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported all three victims to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
No suspects were located on scene and the investigation is in the early stages.