Crime and Public Safety
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.
(from Roanoke PD) On July 2, 2023, at approximately 9:10 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a possible assault that occurred near the 2.7 mile marker on the Lick Run Greenway. Responding officers located Roanoke Fire-EMS providing aid to a female who had what appeared to be severe injuries from a physical assault. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the woman to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Due to the extent of the woman’s injuries, there is very little information about the suspect and what lead to the assault. If you were on the Lick Run Greenway on Sunday morning between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 and saw an elderly, white female wearing a wide brimmed sun hat, glasses, a gray t-shirt, and light green shorts, please call and let us know if you saw anyone near her, interacting with her, or anything you felt was out of the ordinary for that area.
We know that our Greenways are a safe, convenient way for our community members to enjoy the outdoors and move about Roanoke; however, we do recommend that everyone exercise personal safety measures. Try to always walk with a friend, let someone know where you will be and when you will be leaving that area, and be aware of your surroundings.
Roanoke Police will be conducting extra patrols on the Lick Run Greenway, both during regular patrol hours and by utilizing officers on the RPD Bike Team. We are working with the Roanoke Parks and Recreation Team to ensure that our Greenways remain safe for all visitors and residents of the City of Roanoke.
Virginia State Police is investigating a motorcycle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Tuesday (Jul 4) at 5:46 p.m. on Route 311, one tenth of a mile north of Mountain Akers Lane in Craig County.
A 1990 Harley Davidson was traveling north on Route 311, when the motorcycle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck the guardrail, ejecting the driver. The operator of the Harley was identified as Samuel Dean Franklin, 65, of New Castle. Mr. Franklin was wearing his safety helmet and died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Roanoke City police found two people deceased in the 900 block of Brandon Avenue SW yesterday afternoon around 5pm. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the man and woman deceased on scene inside a residence. No other details as of yet in what is being called a homicide investigation.
(ABC News) At least three people were killed and eight others were injured in a shooting late Monday in Fort Worth, Texas, police said.
The Fort Worth Police Department said its officers were dispatched to Horne Street on the west side of the city in response to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the officers found “multiple” gunshot victims in a parking lots, according to police.
So far, police have identified a total of 11 victims — 10 adults and one child. Three of them have died while eight others remain hospitalized in unknown conditions, police said.
MGN
NEWS RELEASE: The Virginia State Police investigation remains ongoing into the fatal officer-involved shooting in Clifton Forge, Va. Friday afternoon (June 30, 2023).
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office is investigating the incident at the request of the Clifton Forge Police Chief. Once state police concludes its investigation, the criminal investigative findings will be turned over to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for final review and adjudication.
Updated on July 1st: The victim has been identified as Christopher Illes Csorba, 33 years old of Roanoke.
Previously post on June 28th: At around 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023, the Franklin County E911 Center received a call for a deceased body located in the Hardy area of the Roanoke River. Units from various agencies responded to the scene. An unidentified victim was located in the water and has been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke. Information is limited at this time pending results from the autopsy. This remains an ongoing investigation.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Virginia Conservation Police, Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire and Rescue, Franklin County Public Safety Fire and EMS units, as well as Bedford County Fire and EMS units for the organized response and assistance!