Crime and Public Safety
Counter Response Protection Fitness on Electric Road in the Tanglewood area wants to empower the area’s young women. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more on the free self defense classes for students.
Donquale Maurice Gray
UPDATE: As the two-state search continues for the man who shot a Bluefield, VA Police Officer late Saturday night, the U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. Donquale M. Gray, 25, of Bluefield, W.Va. is now wanted by the Virginia State Police for attempted capital murder of a police officer. The wounded police officer is still being treated for serious, but non-life threatening, injuries at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.Anyone with information about Gray and/or his whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or the Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131 or by email to
Original Post From Virginia State Police — THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE HAVE ISSUED A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ALERT ON BEHALF OF THE BLUEFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT ON 2/17/19 AT 0300 HOURS
THE BLUEFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR DONQUALE MAURICE GRAY, AGE: 25 YEARS OLD, HEIGHT 6′ 1″, WEIGHT 185 lbs., WITH BROWN EYES, BLACK HAIR, WEARING: UNKNOWN CLOTHING.
SUSPECT IS BELIEVED TO BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND IS A SUSPECT IN THE SHOOTING OF A BLUEFIELD, VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: SUSPECT VEHICLE IS A BLUE 2008 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK BEARING WEST VIRGINIA REGISTRATION OF 53U-974. LAST KNOWN ADDRESS IS BLUEFIELD WEST VIRGINIA.
PLEASE CONTACT THE BLUEFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT AT
276-326-2621
YOU MAY FIND COMPLETE INFORMATION AT HYPERLINK http://www.vsp.virginia.gov/BlueAlert/index.htm
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia.
The natural gas pipeline’s parent company said in recent corporate filings with the SEC that it has been informed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia of a criminal investigation.
EQM Midstream Partners says in filings that the pipeline joint venture had received a grand jury subpoena for documents Monday.
The scope of the inquiry is unclear. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
An EQM spokeswoman says the company is complying with the subpoena.
Last month, two local attorneys called for a federal investigation into whether pipeline crews violated laws by continuing construction on the 300-mile (483-kilometer) pipeline after a permit suspension.
Photo: Richmond Animal Care and Control
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Officials at a Virginia shelter say a dog set on fire at a Richmond park has succumbed to his wounds.News outlets report Richmond Animal Care and Control announced Friday morning that the male brindle pit bull named Tommie died surrounded by caregivers. The shelter says Tommie was tied to a pole at a city park, covered in accelerant and set on fire Sunday.He was initially believed to have burns covering about half his body, but the shelter later said the burns covered nearly his entire body and were worsening. A picture of Tommie shared by the shelter shows him covered in bandages and casts while snuggling a stuffed animal.The shelter says $25,000 is being offered for information leading to suspects in Tommie’s abuse.
(from WDBJ-7) Bedford County is investigating what caused an overnight fire on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake.Crews were called to the building along Airport Road in Huddleston around 3:45 Saturday morning.
Flames destroyed a restaurant and marina associated with the Virginia Dare lake cruise. The cruise ship was not damaged, but the main building attached to the business is a total loss. (WDBJ-7 photo)
On February 10, 2019 at about 12:30 am, Roanoke Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 1300 block of Maple Ave SW. Officers located a juvenile male with a gunshot wound. The subject was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injury. A short time later, an adult male arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital also with gunshot wounds associated with this incident. These individuals’ injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. This is an ongoing investigation.
Here in Roanoke and around the world on Sunday, people will stand up and speak out against violence towards women and girls. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more about “One Billion Rising”:
Lucas B. Dowell
A Virginia State trooper who was shot while executing a search warrant has died. Trooper Lucas Dowell’s was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force with executing a search warrant yesterday evening in Farmville. Dowell died in the hospital. No other troopers were injured in the shooting. The man who fired at officers was also shot and killed, according to the release. Dowell would normally patrol areas including the City of Lynchburg, as well as Amherst and Campbell counties.
Full News Release From Virginia State Police: The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office is investigating a shooting in Cumberland County that claimed the life of a Virginia State Police trooper and resulted in the death of the shooting suspect. The incident occurred Monday, Feb. 4, 2019.Trooper Lucas B. Dowell was a member of the Virginia State Police Tactical Team that was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force with executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road/Route 45, just north of the town limits of Farmville.
The Tactical Team had made entry into the residence shortly before 10 p.m. Monday when an adult male inside the residence began shooting at them. The Tactical Team members returned fire, fatally wounding the male suspect.Trooper Dowell was transported to Southside Community Hospital in Farmville where he succumbed to his injuries. Trooper Dowell becomes the Department’s 66th line of duty death. The Chilhowie, Va. native graduated the Virginia State Police’s 122nd Basic Session in November 2014. Since graduation he has been assigned to the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division; his latest assignment was on patrol in Area 20, which encompasses the City of Lynchburg, and Amherst and Campbell counties. He was a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team – the equivalent of a SWAT Team.
He is survived by his parents and a sister.“This is an extremely difficult day for the State Police,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “We are humbled by Lucas’ selfless sacrifice and grateful for his dedicated service to the Commonwealth. He will forever be remembered by his State Police Family for his great strength of character, tenacity, valor, loyalty and sense of humor.”The adult male suspect died at the scene. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy. State police are still in the process of notifying next of kin. The male suspect was the only individual inside the residence at the time of the shooting. The search warrant was being conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.No other troopers were injured in the shooting. In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the two troopers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave.
Roanoke Police have identified the victim of a fatal weekend shooting as a Brooklyn, New York man. Police say 28-year-old Milton Roman was with an acquaintance when both were victims of a home invasion at the Maple Avenue apartment. At last word, no arrests.
POLICE UPDATE: Roanoke Police have identified the victim of the homicide on February 2, 2019 as Milton Roman, 28 of Brooklyn, NY. Roman was with an acquaintance, identified as Jonathan Billings, 33 of Roanoke, at an apartment on Maple Ave SW at the time of the incident. At this time, the investigation indicates both men were victims of a home invasion. Billings sustained minor injuries during the incident. At this time, no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)334-8500 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.
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE: On February 2, 2019 just before 11:30 pm, Roanoke Police responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 1300 block of Maple Ave SW. Officers located an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)334-8500 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.
News release: The Virginia State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Sunday (Feb. 3) morning on Interstate 81 in Pulaski County. Following a hit-and-run crash in the Town of Pulaski earlier Sunday morning involving a GMC Sierra pickup truck, a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) was issued by the Town of Pulaski Police for the suspect vehicle. A short time later the driver of the GMC called 911 and notified the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office of his location on Interstate 81 at the 104 mile marker just inside the Pulaski County line from Montgomery County.
Virginia State Police and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office responded to that location and encountered the subject inside his pickup on the shoulder of I-81. The subject exited the vehicle armed with a shotgun. The trooper and deputies attempted to negotiate with the male subject to put down his weapon and surrender. The armed subject instead fired a shot into the hillside, then pointed the shotgun at the officers who then fired striking the suspect. The adult male subject was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries. In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.