Crime and Public Safety
UPDATE FROM ROANOKE POLICE: Russell Gordon, 51 of Roanoke, has been arrested and charged with second degree murder in this morning’s death of Jeffery Turney, 40 of Roanoke. Turney and Gordon were known to one another prior to this incident. The investigation indicates that Turney and Gordon engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated resulting in Turney’s death. This investigation is ongoing.
PREVIOUS: We await more details from Roanoke Police on a fatal stabbing this morning near the Walnut Street Bridge. Police say it happened around 7:30 on vacant property alongside the span, and a man died a short time later under hospital treatment. Police say a person of interest is in custody.
From Roanoke Police: On June 14, 2019 just before 7:30 am, Roanoke Police responded to the 300 block of Walnut Ave SE in reference to a stabbing. On arrival officers located an adult male with stab wounds. The male was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. This is a developing investigation. Officers are currently on scene. Roanoke Police have a person of interest in custody at this time. 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 tractor trailer accident happened in Botetourt County this morning at mile marker 151 near the Troutville exit on I-81 . Currently the right northbound lane and shoulder are closed. WDBJ-7 reports one person was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries
Photo: HCSO
NEWS RELEASE: On June 11, 2019, deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s were assisting deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office with apprehending Mitchell O’Shea Wilson. Wilson was wanted out of Stafford County Virginia on seven felony warrants. Mitchell Wilson has been known to be armed and dangerous. Multiple agencies were conducting a search for Wilson.
At 12:34 pm Henry County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on Wilson’s vehicle traveling north bound on William F. Stone Hwy (route 58/220 bypass). The driver of the vehicle, Mitchell O’Shea Wilson accelerated refusing to stop and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit traveled a total of 14 miles through William F. Stone Hwy, Irisburg Rd, Barker Rd, Axton Rd, and A.L. Philpott Hwy where the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of A.L.Philpott Hwy and Old Liberty Drive. Mitchell O’Shea Wilson was taken into custody without further incident. He was found to be armed with two handguns. There were no injuries or property damage during this pursuit.
Mitchell O’Shea Wilson, 46, of 166 Patrick Henry Ave, Axton VA was charge with the following in Henry County:
- Felony Elude Law Enforcement
- Felony Habitual Offender
- Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Convicted Felon (2 counts)
Mr. Wilson was also served with the following outstanding warrants from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. All charges are felonies.
- Robbery
- Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
- Abduction
- Breaking & Entering
- Grand Larceny
- Grand Larceny of a Firearm
- Larceny with the Intent to Sell
Mitchell O’Shea Wilson is currently held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
UPDATE FROM ROANOKE POLICE JUNE 11: Roanoke Police have arrested Demarcus S. Glenn, 20 of Roanoke, and charged him with Second Degree Murder regarding the May 31 Homicide of Tyler Polumbo. Glenn was located and arrested at a residence in the 800 Block Pinewood Drive NW without incident on June 11. This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call or text our tip lines.
PREVIOUS: Due to the victim’s age, Roanoke Police have not been releasing the name of the victim in the 5/31 homicide on Denniston Avenue SW. After careful consideration and discussion with the victim’s family, we have decided to release the name of the victim. The victim of this homicide is 16-year-old Tyler Polumbo of Roanoke.
PREVIOUS: On May 31, 2019 just after 10 pm, Roanoke Police responded to a report of a person who had been shot in the 2100 block of Denniston Ave SW [in the Grandin Village area]. Responding officers located a male with a gunshot wound in that area. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the male deceased on scene. Roanoke Police are currently on scene investigating. No arrests have been made regarding this incident.
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.
Photo: BCSO
Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown says he hopes if he is remembered for anything in his 24 years in office, it will be his efforts to find and prosecute on-line sexual predators. His office initiated the Internet Crimes Against Children task force in 1998, one of the first such specialized on-line units in the country. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Sheriff Brown spoke live Monday on the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. Here is the full conversation:
ROANOKE POLICE UPDATE: Roanoke Police have charged Floyd Harris, 39 of Roanoke; Anthony Barnett, 32 of Roanoke; and Lamar Barnett, 34 of Roanoke, with malicious wounding by mob and conspiracy to commit malicious wounding regarding this incident. Harris is already in custody. We are asking for the public’s help locating the other two men. Anyone with information about their location 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.
PREVIOUS: Roanoke City police say three people were wounded today after a shooting outside Bob and Cheryl’s restaurant on Shenandoah Avenue Northwest. The Roanoke Times reports the shootings followed a parking lot dispute. At last word, a suspect remains on the loose.
From Roanoke City Police: On May 29, 2019 right before 1 pm, Roanoke Police were dispatched to the 3500 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW in reference to a call about a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male victim lying in a parking lot with injuries. He was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Roanoke Fire-EMS. As officers were clearing the scene, dispatch advised two adult males came into LewisGale Medical Center in Salem with gunshot wounds. We believe these men were involved in the incident.
At this time, no one has been charged regarding this incident. The investigation is ongoing. 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.
Photo: HCSO
An Axton woman who came to the Henry County Jail Saturday for an inmate visit quickly became an inmate herself for an outstanding contempt warrant. The sheriff’s office says Jennifer Swinney allegedly concealed narcotics inside a body cavity, and once in jail, shared it with two other inmates. All three now face felony charges.
NEWS RELEASE: On June 8, 2019, at approximately 9:28 am Jennifer Nicole Swinney, 33, of 245 Urban Dr., Axton, VA came to the Henry County Jail to take part in the jail’s inmate visitation. Deputies discovered that Swinney was wanted on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court. The arresting deputy conducted a search of Swinney, and she was turned over to the jail staff who then processed her into the facility and conducted an intake search of her person. Swinney was placed into the jail population at approximately 10:30 am.
At approximately 12:30 pm, the Henry County Jail staff was made aware of a female inmate who was suffering from an apparent medical issue. The Henry County Department of Public Safety responded to the jail where they transported one female inmate to SOVAH Health Martinsville. The inmate was treated and released back to the custody of the Henry County Jail. A second female inmate of the Henry County Jail was checked by the Fieldale-Collinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, she required no medical treatment.
Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Jennifer Nicole Swinney concealed narcotics inside of a body cavity prior to being taken into custody by deputies. Due to the narcotics being concealed inside of a body cavity, they were unable to be detected by standard search procedures. After Swinney was placed into the jail population, she and two other inmates snorted the opiates.
Jennifer Nicole Swinney, 33, of 245 Urban Dr., Axton, VA was charged with the following:
- Possession of a schedule I substance
- Distribution of a schedule I substance
- Possession of a chemical compound within a correctional facility
All Charges are felonies. Swinney is currently held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
Mikayla Jae Thomas, 25, of 3573 Longview Dr., Collinsville, VA was charged with possession of a chemical compound within a correctional facility (felony). Thomas is currently held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
Kimmarie Dawn Kennon, 24, of 1380 Trent Hill Dr., Bassett, VA was charged with possession of a chemical compound within a correctional facility (felony). Kennon is currently held in the Henry County Jail without bond.
Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown is nearing the end of 24 years in office. He retires from this position at the end of the year, and today, Brown looked back on some of the accomplishments he feels most proud of in a wide-ranging live conversation on the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. Topics included gangs, drugs and most important to Sheriff Brown, internet crimes against children — including NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s role as a sworn Bedford County deputy. Here is the full conversation:
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia police are accusing a man of attempting an armed robbery at a convenience store gas pump, a move that sparked a shootout that put the alleged stickup man in a hospital and his underage sidekick in detention.
Media reports say the juvenile surrendered to police in Martinsville on Saturday to face warrants alleging attempted robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle and other crimes.
Martinsville police say the shootout on June 2 sent alleged gunman Marquis Antonio Waller of Martinsville to the hospital, where the 23-year-old is still recovering from a single gunshot. Police say Waller tried to rob a man pumping gas, but the intended victim was also armed and shot the robber.
Police say a juvenile accompanying Waller also pulled a handgun and began shooting.
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — A Virginia judge has ordered a woman to serve 10 years in prison for the death of her 7-month-old son in 2016.
The Roanoke Times reports 27-year-old Nicole Aurlieua Zimmerman was sentenced Friday. The Roanoke woman was convicted during a bench trial in October of felony homicide, child abuse and cruelty to children.
Sentencing guidelines in the case ranged from more than 13 years to 23 years in prison.
Judge Chris Clemens said he imposed a sentence below the guidelines partly because Zimmerman’s attorney presented evidence suggesting she has a lower mental capacity.
Zimmerman’s son died after being hospitalized on July 2016 with a brain bleed and retinal hemorrhages. A medical examiner during the trial said the boy died from blunt force likely caused from being shaken.
Zimmerman’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Saturday.