Crime and Public Safety
Just over a week after a fatal shooting on UVA’s grounds, a suspect in Chesapeake Virginia opens fire in a Walmart. Police say the public is in no further danger at this time. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with more:
UPDATE 11/23/22 12:52 PM — Authorities and witnesses say a Walmart manager opened fire on fellow employees in the break room of a Virginia store, killing six people. It was the country’s second high-profile mass shooting in four days. Police in Chesapeake say the gunman, who apparently shot himself, was dead when they found him. There was no clear motive for the shooting, which also injured at least six people, including one critically. The store was busy just before the attack Tuesday night as shoppers stocked up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Employee Briana Tyler says the stocking team gathered in the break room when her manager turned around and opened fire on the staff.
At a previously scheduled event this morning Governor Glenn Youngkin offered his remarks after last night’s mass shooting in Chesapeake that left 6 Walmart employees and the suspect dead. Youngkin also stated today that he will make available any resources needed as the investigation moves forward
11/23/22 10 AM — A witness says a Walmart manager opened fire on fellow employees gathered in the break room of a Virginia store. Six people died in the country’s second high-profile mass shooting in a handful of days. Police said the gunman, who apparently shot himself, was dead when they found him. He apparently killed himself. There was no clear motive for the shooting. It left four people in the hospital. A shopper told a local TV station that the store was busy just before the shooting Tuesday night with people stocking up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
11/23/22 12:38 AM — Chesapeake police said multiple people are dead and others are wounded after a shooting at a Walmart on Tuesday night. Chesapeake police spokesman Leo Kosinski said in a briefing that officers responded to a report of a shooting at the Walmart on Sam’s Circle around 10:15 p.m. and as soon as they arrived they found evidence of a shooting. Police believe there was one shooter, who is dead, Kosinski said he did not have a number of dead but said it was “less than 10, right now.”
Chesapeake, VA
The legislator who presides over Virginia’s Senate if the Lt. Governor is absent says the overnight fatal Wal-Mart shootings in Chesapeake says she’ll be submitting new gun legislation in the upcoming session. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
(from Roanoke County PD) On Tuesday November 22 at 3:40pm, a 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by James Thompson was traveling westbound in the 5000 block of W. Main St in Roanoke County. As the motorcycle approached slower traffic, it rear ended a Pro-Line dump trailer that was being pulled by a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup truck. Mr. Thompson was wearing a helmet but was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the truck were wearing their seat belts and were not injured. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges are pending. The roadway was closed for a period of time.
Update 11/21 The Roanoke Police investigation has determined that the crime scene for shooting incident on 11/20 was located at 730 Tazewell Ave SE. This is still an ongoing investigation.(previously) On November 20 at approximately 6:08 a.m., Roanoke Police 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 had what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. Details about this incident are limited and this is an ongoing investigation.
(update 11/21) Roanoke Police have identified the deceased occupant at the scene of the traffic fatality as 35 year old Francis Santos Martinez of Roanoke. Additionally, 31 year old Hector Calo Fernandez of Roanoke was pronounced deceased on 11/21/2022 by Roanoke Memorial Hospital physicians as a result of injuries sustained in the motor vehicle crash.On November 20 at approximately 1:01 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a motor vehicle crash in the 1300 block of 10th Street NW. Responding officers located a single vehicle on its side. Two adult male occupants were ejected from the vehicle. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced an adult male occupant deceased on the scene. The other adult male occupant was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of critical injuries. This remains an ongoing investigation, but speed does appear to be a factor.
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 being the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure its properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
(FROM WHSV) One person has died as a result of a crash that happened on I-81 in the Staunton area around 6 a.m. Saturday.
VDOT UPDATE – (1 p.m.) Northbound and southbound Interstate 81 have fully reopened following Saturday morning’s tractor trailer crash at mile marker 221 near Staunton. The ramp from I-81 southbound to I-64 eastbound at exit 221 is expected to reopen shortly, following final cleanup operations.
The incident took place shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday when a truck crashed through the railing of the I-64 westbound bridge over I-81 and landed on the I-81 northbound lanes.
The ramp from I-64 westbound to I-81 southbound has partly reopened. Motorists can use the left lane of the ramp, but the right lane will remain closed until contractors make repairs to the bridge railing. The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide updates on the bridge repairs.
PREVIOUS: (8 a.m.) An overturned tractor trailer is blocking all northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 81 at mile marker 221 near Staunton. The location is at the overpass bridge for exit 221, the junction of I-81 and I-64. The ramp from westbound I-64 to southbound I-81 is also closed. There is no estimate on reopening lanes. Avoid the area.
Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) is a bypass around Staunton, and is serving as a detour route.
- Northbound I-81 traffic is detoured at exit 220 and follows Route 262 north to rejoin the interstate at exit 225.
- Southbound I-81 traffic is detoured at exit 225 and follows Route 262 south to rejoin the interstate at exit 220.
The overturned tractor trailer was reported to the Virginia Department of Transportation shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday (November 19). The truck was hauling a liquid cargo that will need to be cleaned up before all lanes can reopen
Lavel Davis Jr. (left), D’Sean Perry (center), Devin Chandler (right)
The University of Virginia Police Department says UVA received a threatening email today in advance of the planned 3:30 pm memorial service for the three students fatally shot earlier this week. The department says “We are taking all reasonable measures to ensure the safety our our patrons and the security of the facility.”
From UVA Police: Around mid-day the University received a threatening email related to today’s planned Memorial Service at JPJ Arena. We are taking all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of our patrons and the security of the facility. Please be advised that UVA has enhanced security measures in and near the Arena. At this time, the Memorial will continue as planned. If you see anything suspicious, please notify lawvenforcement or security professionals immediately.
Lavel Davis Jr. (left), D’Sean Perry (center), Devin Chandler (right)
The suspect in the murders of three UVA student-athletes on Sunday had several incidents involving guns on his record – when he shot three members of the Cavaliers football team dead and wounded two others. Virginia US Senator Mark Warner on whether more red flags – and stop signs – need to be put in place. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
Courtesy of Gordon McKernan
During the UVA fatal shootings, running back Mike Hollins rushed back onto the bus when he heard the shootings begin in an attempt to save lives only to find himself face-to-face with a gunman who had just shot to death three of his teammates. Mike’s mother Brenda tells Sports Illustrated Mike saw him raise the gun and he then turned and ran before ultimately getting shot in the back.