Crime and Public Safety
On August 6, 2023 at approximately 1:25 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of shots fired in the area of 8th Street and Gilmer Avenue NW. Responding officers searched the immediate area, eventually locating an adult male with what appeared to be serious gunshot wounds outside of a residence in the 900 block of Gilmer Avenue NW. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
No arrests have been made at this time regarding this incident. 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.
Roanoke City recorded its first fatal shooting for August less than one hour into the new month. Police say officers were called to the 400 block of Westside Boulevard around 12:50 am where they found a man lying outside a vehicle. He died later under hospital treatment. As has been the case with a series of other gun-related murders in the city, police say they have limited information and no suspects. This comes after Roanoke recorded seven gun-related murders in July.
NEWS RELEASE: On August 1, 2023, at approximately 12:50 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 400 block of Westside Blvd NW. Responding officers located an adult male victim with what appeared to be serious gunshot wounds lying outside of a vehicle. Officers rendered aid to the victim until Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel arrived and transported him to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Later, officers were notified that the man had succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Details about what led to this shooting are limited at this time. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made. This is an ongoing homicide 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 July 25 at approximately 2:45 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of shots fired in the 800 block of Gilmer Avenue NW. Officers responded to the scene and did not locate evidence of a shooting or any victims in that area.
A short time later, officers were notified that a person with a gunshot wound had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the adult male victim who had what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. Details about what lead to the shooting are limited at this time. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time
(from Roanoke PD) On July 23, 2023 at approximately 0342, a.m Officers responded to the 3600 block of Ferncliff Ave NW in reference to shots fired call. Upon arrival, officers were directed to an adult female that had sustained gun shots wounds. The victim was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. The victim is listed in stable condition. No arrests have been made at this time.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 to share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure its properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.”
A driver suffering from gunshot wounds received first-aid before ultimately being sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Roanoke Police say the victim was discovered in a car just after 11 pm last night near Gilmer Rd. and Gainesboro Ave. NW. Authorities believe the shooting happened in the 2000 block of Liberty Rd. NW. No arrests have been made so far.
From Roanoke Police Department 7/18/23 — On July 17 at approximately 11:07 P.M, officers encountered a vehicle driver near Gilmer Rd. and Gainesboro Ave. NW suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately administered first aid to control bleeding until Roanoke Fire and EMS arrived to assume care of the victim. The victim was transported to RMH for treatment of non-life threatening wounds. Officers determined that the location of the incident to be in the 2000 block of Liberty Rd NW. No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing.
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Friday (July 14) at 4:32 p.m. on Route 11, just south of Mountain Pass Road in Botetourt County.
A 2000 Dodge Ram was traveling north on Route 11, when the vehicle crossed the center-line and struck a 2001 Ford F-250 pulling a cattle trailer, which was traveling south, head-on.
The driver of the Dodge was identified as Mark Alan Simpson, 62, of Fincastle, Va. Simpson was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
The Ford was driven by Jeffrey M. Camper, 61, of Buchanan, Va. Mr. Camper and a female passenger were both wearing their seatbelt and were transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Several of the cattle were euthanized due to injuries received in the crash.
On July 15, 2023 at approximately 0430 A.M Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of reports of shots fired in the 700 block of Hunt Ave Nw. Responding officers did not find anyone injured at the scene. Officers were later notified by E-911 of a person with gunshots wounds at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The persons injuries are non-life threatening.
The investigation is in its early stages and limited information can be released. 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 its’ properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
VDEM State Coordinator Shawn Talmadge. G Marrano photo
Even though the Roanoke Valley is hundreds of miles away from coastal areas where hurricanes hit – especially during the “season” that began last month and runs through November – residents need to be prepared for catastrophic rain events that can happen here. Shawn Talmadge with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management spoke this morning about a new “Inland Impacts Guide,” that is available online; VDEM, FEMA and the National Weather Service held a briefing for local emergency managers at the Berglund Center this morning. The National Weather Service Director says they are working on new technology to more accurately forecast the amount of rain expected from the outer bands of a hurricane.
On July 10 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 1600 block of Sigmon Road NW. Responding officers located an adult male lying outside of a residence with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officers located an additional adult male victim on scene with what appeared to be a critical gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the man deceased on scene.
Officers located an adult male and adult female on scene and transported them to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with Detectives. Throughout the course of the investigation, it was determined that the man located on scene was the suspect involved in the shooting. That man was identified as Ja’Zion Z. Robertson (pictured) , 18 of Roanoke. Robertson was charged with Second Degree Murder and taken into custody without further incident. Additional charges may be pending on other involved individuals.
