Crime and Public Safety
With more than two dozen homicides in the city of Roanoke in 2023 and many others wounded, some might be asking, What’s Good, Roanoke? That is also the name of a campaign launched yesterday, aimed at connecting young people to the rest of the community and services they might need. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
File photo David McFall Photo: Roanoke County
Described as Officer “L. Camper,” Roanoke City Chief of Police Scott Booth said today she has been released from the hospital after being shot by David Adam McFall, who was then shot and killed by Roanoke City Police officers outside Melrose Towers earlier this week. Roanoke police were following up on a a wellness check and the discovery of a stabbing death – which turned out to be David McFall’s father, Douglas, in Southeast Roanoke, on Sunday. That led to the confrontation with David McFall. Booth also said the healing has begun.
The Virginia State Police is assisting the Office of the Attorney General with conducting an investigative search warrant at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County. PETA has now responded, stating in a release that it,”thanks the Office of the Attorney General … and hopes this will bring much needed relief to the 40-year-old solitary elephant, Asha, and other long neglected animals held there,” adding that, “the roadside zoo has long been the subject of public concern and PETA complaints to local, state and federal agencies.
(PET release) Below, please find a statement from PETA’s Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations, Daphna Nachminovitch, in response to reports that the Virginia Office of the Attorney General is executing a search warrant at Natural Bridge Zoo.
On December 3, 2023, Roanoke Police responded to the 1600 block of Lawrence Ave SE at approximately 11:30 a.m. for a well-being check on an individual. Officers located the adult male victim with what appeared to be critical stab wounds in the residence. Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the man deceased on scene. It’s unknown exactly when the homicide occurred, but it’s believe to have been as early as mid-week. Roanoke Police almost immediately identified a suspect in the homicide investigation and began working to locate him.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., officers observed the suspect walking in the 3000 block of Melrose Ave NW and attempted to stop the man to speak with him. The suspect produced a firearm and fired towards the officers. Multiple shots were exchanged between Roanoke Police Officers and the suspect.
One Roanoke Police Officer was struck by gunfire. That officer was transported to LewisGale Medical Center by Roanoke Fire-EMS for treatment of what appeared to be serious and life threatening injuries. The suspect was also struck by gunfire and was pronounced deceased by Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel.
In accordance with department policy, Virginia State Police were notified and will be investigating this incident. The officers involved will be placed on administrative leave, per department policy. Virginia State Police will be releasing further updates to this investigation.
(from Roanoke PD) On November 30 around 10:50 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified that an adult male with serious gunshot wounds had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. Officers responded to the hospital to speak with the man, but were unable to interview him as he was receiving medical care.
Earlier that evening, officers were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of shots fired in the 100 block of 19th Street SW. Responding officers located evidence of shots fired and property damage to a residence in that area, but no injuries were reported to police at that time. Detectives are working to determine if there is any connection between the 19th Street SW shooting and the injured victim.
This remains an ongoing investigation and further details are limited at this time.
(from Roanoke PD) On November 30 at approximately 12:10 a.m., Roanoke Police received multiple reports of shots fired near 24th Street NW. Responding officers did not immediately locate a scene or any evidence of a shooting in that area, so they began patrolling through nearby neighborhoods to locate the source of the calls. An officer traveling in the 2400 block of Maryland Avenue NW was flagged down by a resident who advised there was an injured person inside a residence in the neighborhood. The officer entered the residence and located an adult male with what appeared to be serious gunshot wounds. Officers immediately rendered aid until Roanoke Fire-EMS arrived and transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
As the investigation progressed, additional units located another adult male victim with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound on the front porch of a residence in the 2100 block of Staunton Avenue NW. Roanoke Fire-EMS also transported that man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting occurred at the residence in the 2400 block of Maryland Ave NW. Evidence indicates that there was a verbal altercation that led to an exchange of gunfire. No charges have been placed at this time and this remains an ongoing investigation.
Previous: Hotel Roanoke was reportedly locked down for a time this morning. We have not received confirmation from Roanoke Police about what led to that lockdown and heavy police presence at the hotel. We will provide more information when it becomes available.
(from Roanoke PD) 
On November 21 at approximately 10:50 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a report of shots fired in the 2200 block of Orange Avenue NW. Responding officers located an unresponsive adult male lying in the roadway with what appeared to be critical gunshot wounds. Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel pronounced the man deceased on scene.
Officers and detectives located evidence on scene that identified the suspect as Jacob K. Foskey, 44 of Roanoke. Foskey and the victim were known to one another, and it is believed that this shooting stemmed from an altercation between the victim, another individual, and Foskey.
Officers immediately began searching for Foskey, ultimately locating his vehicle and performing a traffic stop. Foskey was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Roanoke Police Department to speak with detectives. Foskey was charged with Second Degree Murder regarding this offense.