Crime and Public Safety
(Roanoke County, VA—February 10, 2023) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 5:45 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023 to the 5300 block of Hawthorne Road, in the North County area, for the report of a commercial structure fire at Ridgeview Apartments. Upon arrival units from Station 1 (North County) found a six-story apartment building with nothing showing from the exterior except a burning smell in the lobby area. After further investigation, one apartment on the sixth floor was found to have heavy smoke and one patient from that apartment was transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Later another resident was also transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated and determined that the cause was improperly discarded smoking materials. The damage estimate is $100
(from Roanoke PD) On February 4, 2023 at approximately 8:35 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 2600 block of Peters Creek Road NW. Responding officers located two adult victims, one male and one female, with gunshot wounds inside of a business in the area. The woman’s injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but the man’s injuries appeared to be serious. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported both victims to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Officers located an adult male suspect on scene and took him into custody without incident. The man was transported to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with officers and detectives. After consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the suspect was released from police custody. No charges have been placed regarding this incident at this time.
This is an ongoing investigation. 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.
(from Roanoke PD) On February 3 at approximately 8:35 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of reports of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1000 block of 22nd Street NW. While officers were heading towards the scene, another call came in referencing at least one other victim being transported to the hospital in a personal vehicle.
Officers who responded to the 22nd Street NW scene located a juvenile male inside a residence with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the teen to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Officers who responded to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital located two juvenile males, both with what appeared to be non-life threatening gunshot wounds, in the back of a personal vehicle. The two teens were taken into the hospital for treatment.
Jason Miyares
Despite a case of police misconduct under investigation by his Civil Rights office, AG Jason Miyares reminds citizens not to paint all officers with the same brush in the wake of Tyre Nichols’ death at the hands of Memphis police. WFIR’s Emma Thomas reports:
(from Roanoke PD) On January 21, 2023 at approximately 11:50 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 of a call concerning an injured child at a residence in the 2100 block of Russell Avenue SW. Roanoke Fire-EMS had transported an unresponsive juvenile female to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be serious injuries prior to officers arriving on scene. Officers who responded to the scene located an adult male and three other juveniles inside the residence.
Throughout the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the juvenile female’s injuries were critical and did not appear to have been caused by an accident, as previously reported by the adult male at the residence. On January 23, 2023, Roanoke Police arrested Jonathan S. Anderson, 32 of Roanoke, and charged him with Malicious Wounding regarding this offense.
On January 24, 2023, Roanoke Police Special Victims Unit Detectives were notified that the juvenile female had succumbed to her injuries and passed away. After consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Detectives obtained a warrant for Second Degree Murder for Anderson. That warrant was served on January 25, 2023. Anderson remains in the custody of the City of Roanoke Sheriff’s Office.
MGN
This morning at 12:12 a.m., Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 1600 block of Rorer Ave SW for a reported structure fire. First arriving units found flames showing from the back of a vacant residence. The fire extended from the 1st to the 2nd floor on the exterior of the residence, with minimal extension to the interior, and was quickly extinguished. No injuries have been reported. Damages to the structure are estimated to be about $10,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation
ROANOKE, VA – The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office has initiated an internal investigation into a deputies alleged misconduct. To prohibit bias and to ensure transparency, the Virginia State Police were contacted and asked to proceed with the investigation. As this investigation is on-going, no additional information can be provided at this time. The Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Antonio Hash wants to convey to the public, there are no additional security threats against the agency, detention center, nor the residents within the facility. It is believed this is an isolated incident, however, the agency awaits the results of the investigation.
MGN
CRAIG COUNTY, Va. – On Wednesday, (Jan 25) the Craig County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of John’s Creek Road in Craig County for a domestic disturbance. After Deputies and Troopers arrived a firearm was discharged in the residence. Officers did not approach the residence and attempted to contact the individual inside the residence from a distance. Information was obtained that the subject inside the residence was armed, and officers requested negotiators to speak with the subject and a tactical team. At 8:57 p.m. an armed subject exited the residence onto the front porch. Officers fired striking the suspect.
Emergency medical care was administered immediately and was continued until EMS arrived on the scene. Kyle Adam Mills, 22, of Christiansburg, Va., died from his injuries. No officers were injured. All the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, according to both Department’s policies. The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Field Office is conducting the investigation. At the completion of the investigation, all the findings will be turned over to the Craig County Commonwealth’s Attorney for adjudication.
On January 25, 2023 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 700 block of Hunt Avenue NW. Responding officers located an unresponsive adult male with what appeared to be a critical gunshot wound outside of a residence in the area. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the victim deceased on scene. His identity will be shared after next-of-kin is properly notified.
Witnesses on scene identified the suspect, who was attempting to flee the area on foot. Officers were able to apprehend and arrest the suspect without issue. The suspect was transported to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with Detectives. Christopher A. Arias, 20 of Roanoke, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder. He remains in custody. The suspect and victim were known to one another.
On October 3, 2022, Special Agents with the Virginia State Police, members of the Special Investigations Program (Mass Transit Unit), and the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force seize drugs, guns, and US Currency from a residence in the City of Roanoke.
The package contained 2.3 pounds of Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, and was addressed to an individual at a residence in the 1400 block Orange Avenue, NW. A search warrant was obtained for that address. Inside the residence, investigators seized approximately 130 grams of additional narcotics, 3 firearms, and $13,431 in US Currency. The street value of all narcotics seized was $231,700.
Investigators arrested 34-year-old, DeAngelo Omer Baker of Roanoke, Va., at the residence (pictured) and he was charged with Attempting to Distribute/Sell Fentanyl, Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon, two counts of Possession of Firearm while in Possession of a Schedule 1 or 2 drug, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, and Possession of Schedule 1 or 2 substance with Intent to Distribute. Baker was released from custody on a $10,000 bond. This remains an ongoing investigation.
The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Roanoke City Police Department, City of Salem Police Department, Town of Vinton Police Department and Virginia State Police.