Crime and Public Safety
On May 8 at approximately 8:20 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound in the 3800 block of Panorama Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be serious injuries lying in a parking lot in the area. Officers rendered aid until Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel arrived and transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, the man later succumbed to his injuries.
No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. Details about what led to the shooting are limited. 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.
Virginia State Police is investigating a vehicle verses bicycle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Thursday, (May 4) at 10:10 p.m. on Route 220, one tenth of a mile north of Route 619 in Franklin County.A 15-year-old male was riding his electric bicycle in the southbound right lane on Route 220, when the bicycle was struck by a 2005 Honda Accord which was traveling south in the right lane on Route 220. The operator of the bicycle was identified as Micah Meggs, 15, of Rocky Mount, Va. Mr. Meggs died at the scene.The driver of the Honda was not injured.The crash remains under investigation.
On April 26, 2023 at approximately 6:10 p.m., a Roanoke Police Officer was on routine patrol in the 1900 block of Melrose Avenue NW when she heard the sounds of gunshots from an area nearby. As the officer responded to that area, the City of Roanoke E-911 Center advised that there was a report of someone shooting at a residence in the 1600 block of Gilmer Avenue NW.
Officers responded to the house and learned that a male suspect had forced entry into the residence and began shooting into the dwelling. Individuals inside the home shot back at the suspect, who fled the scene. No injuries were reported to police at that time, and the suspect was not immediately located.
A short time later, officers were notified that an adult male with what appeared to be non-life-threatening gunshot wounds had arrived at LewisGale Medical Center via personal vehicle. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the man. Throughout the course of the investigation, it was determined that this man was the suspect in the shooting that occurred on Gilmer Avenue NW. It was also determined that the male suspect with injuries is known to the homeowner of the residence on Gilmer Ave NW.
At this time, no one has been arrested regarding this incident.
(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