Crime and Public Safety
On 11/7/2021, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were involved in an officer involved shooting that occurred in the Moneta area of Bedford County. The Sheriff’s Office has requested the Virginia State Police to investigate this incident. Please contact the Virginia State Police with any questions involving this incident.
(Salem City release) The Salem Fire & EMS Department responded to a structure fire at 2308 Peach St. this morning at approximately 11:40 a.m. The home sustained significant damage and three pets perished in the fire. The displaced residents were not home at the time of the fire, and they are now being assisted by the Red Cross. The first unit arrived within four minutes of receiving the 911 call and found heavy smoke coming from the eaves and roofline of the home. It took firefighters only15minutes to contain the fire, but the house still sustained serious fire and water damage. The Salem Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that the fire was caused by an unattended propane heater. The fire has been ruled accidental in nature and the damage estimate has been set at $120,000.
BEDFORD CO, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a single vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality. The crash occurred Thursday, (Nov 4) at 1:45 a.m. on Route 460, near Route 825 in Bedford County. A 1999 Mercedes E320 was traveling east on Route 460, when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, into the median and overturned. The Mercedes was driven by Shawanda Hershell Hill, 45, of Richmond, Va. Ms. Hill was wearing her seatbelt and was not injured. The passenger, Sehven A. Solo El, 51, was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
UPDATE: Roanoke Police have arrested Tahir B. Dixon, 38 of Roanoke, and charged him with malicious wounding regarding this incident.
(earlier from Roanoke PD) On October 30, 2021 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a disturbance in the area of 15th Street and Loudon Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male outside of a residence with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. The preliminary investigation indicates that this offense occurred outside of a residence in the 1400 block of Loudon Avenue NW. It is believed at this time that the suspect and victim engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated into a shooting.
NEWS RELEASE: On November 1, 2021 at approximately 12:00 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of an alarm call in the 600 block of Peters Creek Road NW. While responding, the City of Roanoke E-911 Center notified officers that there were also several reports of shots fired in the area. As officers arrived at the scene, a large group of individuals began leaving the area and did not wish to speak with officers. Shortly after officers arrived, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital advised that an adult male with what appeared to be serious, but not life-threatening gunshot wounds arrived via personal transport to the hospital. Officers located evidence of a shooting at the scene in the 600 block of Peters Creek Rd NW and determined that the victim was injured
there. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. Further details are limited and this is an ongoing 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.
On October 30, 2021 at approximately 8:00 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 500 block of 8th Street NW. Officers responded to the scene but did not locate any victims or suspects. A short time later, they located the victim of this incident at 4th Street and Campbell Avenue SW. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the adult male victim to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be a non-life threatening injury. Detectives are working to determine the events leading up to the shooting.
No suspects have been located and no arrests have been made. This is an ongoing 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.
(from Roanoke PD) On October 30, 2021 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a disturbance in the area of 15th Street and Loudon Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male outside of a residence with what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. The preliminary investigation indicates that this offense occurred outside of a residence in the 1400 block of Loudon Avenue NW.
It is believed at this time that the suspect and victim engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated into a shooting. The suspect was not located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. No further details are available. This remains an ongoing 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.
(Update 11/10) Update to the crash that occurred on Sunday October 24, 2021. The driver of the 2002 Toyota Highlander SVU has been identified as Gavin Dent of Roanoke Virginia. The driver was wearing a seat belt but was prounounced dead at the scene. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and no charges are pending.
From Roanoke County Police: On Sunday October 24, 2021, a Toyota Highlander SVU was traveling eastbound on McVitty Rd. in Roanoke County. The vehicle ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The driver was wearing a seat belt but was pronounced dead at the scene. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this crash. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges are pending.
UPDATE FROM VINTON POLICE: Vinton, VA -An arrest has been made in connection with the homicide of Gary McMiller that took place on October 11, 2021, at 809 Hardy Rd. The individual was taken into custody on October 21, 2021,by the Roanoke City Police Department. The suspect has been charged with:1) Murder in the commission of Robbery2) Attempted Robbery3) Use of Firearm in the commission of Robbery. Pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3706, no additional information canbe released on the suspect. The Vinton Police is continuing the investigation to determine the identities of two additional suspects .If you have information please contact (540) 283-7034
PREVIOUS: Vinton, VA–The malicious wounding that took place on October 11, 2021, at 809 Hardy Rd is now being investigated as a Homicide, as the victim of this incident, Gary McMiller, 38, of Vinton has succumbed to his injury. Detectives with the Vinton Police Department have been in contact with the Roanoke County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office with the details of this case. No arrests have been made at this time. No further information regarding the details of this incident is available at this time.
Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540) 283-7034. Vinton, VA-On October 11, 2021, at 9:39 PM officers of the Vinton Police Department responded to a Malicious Wounding at 809 Hardy Road, in regards to reports of a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male inside the establishment with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. A preliminary investigation indicates that a shooting took place in the parking lot of the aforementioned address. The suspected vehicle, a silver sedan, fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
No suspects have been located at this time. The male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division are still actively working to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting. This matter remains under investigation and no further information is currently available for release. Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540) 283-7034.
PREVIOUS: Vinton, VA -On October 11, 2021, at 9:39 PM officers of the Vinton Police Department responded to a Malicious Wounding at 809 Hardy Road, in regards to reports of a person with a gunshot wound. Responding officers located an adult male inside the establishment with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. A preliminary investigation indicates that a shooting took place in the parking lot of the aforementioned address. The suspected vehicle, a silver sedan, fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. No suspects have been located at this time. The male was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division are still actively working to determine the circumstances that led up to the shooting. This matter remains under investigation and no further information is currently available for release. Information regarding the incident is asked to call the Vinton Police Department at (540)283-7034.
Courtesy photo
(from VA State Police) An airplane made an emergency landing on Apple Road in Franklin County at 7:16 p.m. yesterday (Oct 18) and there were no injuries. The pilot stayed with the plane overnight and corrected the fuel issue, but did not attempt a takeoff last night, due to darkness. At 11:19 a.m. today, (Oct 19), the pilot was practicing a dry takeoff run to test if the plane could obtain enough speed to lift off. As the plane was slowed down after the test run, the pilot, due to the gravel roadway could not get the plane stopped in time and struck a parked Virginia State Police vehicle with the left wing of the aircraft. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time it was struck, and no one was injured in the incident. The FAA has also deemed the crash as an incident and will not be investigating.