Crime and Public Safety

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing adult and her children. Lauren Cook and her children were last seen on September 5th, 2023 in Franklin
County. Since then, communication efforts with Lauren have been unsuccessful. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Lauren Cook and her children, please contact the Office of the Sheriff at 540-483-3000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook
30 Years Old, 5’1”, Long Brown Hair, Brown Eyes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Cook
7 Years Old
Blue Eyes and Blonde Hair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah Cook
5 Years Old
Brown Eyes and Blonde Hair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elijah Cook
2 Years Old
Blue Eyes and Blonde Hair

(from Virginia State Police) The crash occurred at 10:09 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th on Interstate 81 at the 134-mile marker.  The crash involved four passenger vehicles and one tractor trailer. A 2003 Ford Excursion was traveling south when the vehicle crossed the median and struck a 2015 Ford Expedition, a 2022 Kia and then a 2023 Nissan, causing the Excursion to roll over and catch fire.  A 2022 Mark tractor trailer then struck the Kia. The driver of the Kia is identified as Leonard John Pick, 25, of Palm Beach Shores, FL.  Due to the damage to the Kia, it is unknown if Mr. Pick was wearing his seatbelt and he died at the scene.  There was a female passenger in the Kia which obtained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
 
The roadway was closed for an extended period of time because of the tanker trailer involved in the crash.  HAZMAT crews and VDEM were called to deal with unloading and the making safe, of the fuel and vapors contained in the trailer. The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team and Commercial Motor Vehicle Team are assisting with the crash.

Danville’s Police Chief is heading to Roanoke. City officials in Danville announced today that Scott Booth has accepted chief’s position in the Star City. It is no surprise: Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell had indicated Booth was his top choice. His record in Danville includes a sharp reduction in crime rates under his tenure.

DANVILLE CITY NEWS RELEASE: City Manager Ken Larking announced today that Police Chief Scott Booth will be leaving the City of Danville to accept the position of police chief for the City of Roanoke. Booth’s last day as police chief in Danville will be October 31.

Larking noted the dramatic reduction in crime rates under during Booth’s tenure.

“While I am disappointed that Chief Booth will be leaving us, I am incredibly thankful for what he and his team have accomplished under his leadership,” Larking said. “I am happy for him to have this new opportunity and for the people in Roanoke. Scott and the department have built a winning system in Danville.”

Mayor Alonzo Jones agreed, saying, “He’s done a great job for the City of Danville, and he deserves praise for the work he has done. To see crime at the lowest rates in years, the partnerships between the police department and the community that are now in place, and the high level of engagement and trust with citizens speaks volumes for Chief Booth and the entire department.”

Booth has been the chief of police in Danville since February 2018. “Over the last five years, we have worked together as a city to meet several goals, including reducing violent crime and establishing community-based policing, which has become the Danville model,” Booth said. “Through a philosophy of having leaders in the department that are empowered to act, and lead by example, the Danville community has come together and established a better tomorrow for the future.”

During his tenure, he has been recognized for his leadership in reducing crime, community policing, and community engagement. Most recently, Booth received national recognition with the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award from the National Gang Crime Research Center. The award recognizes Booth’s accomplish

(from Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office) Roanoke, VA – On Friday September 8, 2023 the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Roanoke City Police Department, and in partnership with local pastors and city leaders will come together for the launch of Cease Fire: Victory in Valley. This campaign will focus on ending the gun violence within the city.

This call to action asks all community leaders, business owners, and those invested in saving our city, to stand together and take action. The launch will highlight an initial 30-day commitment to end gun violence and detail how every person can get involved.

In this city, we are all stakeholders and keeping our communities safe should be a collaborative effort.
Regardless of the quadrant we live in, violence affects everyone. The community is encouraged to participate in the upcoming launch. While on-site, posters, yard signs, and t-shirts (while they last) will be available to help spread the message. The Sheriff’s office will also provide information regarding the large community event scheduled on October 8, 2023.

This upcoming event is to recognize the efforts of the community and to celebrate National Faith and Blue Weekend. This weekend focuses on “safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations,” (faithandblue.org).

What: Launch of Cease Fire: Victory in Valley
When: Friday, September 8, 2023 @ 10:00AM
Where: Roanoke City Municipal Building, 216 Campbell Ave (gathering on steps/lawn)

On September 2, 2023 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a serious motor vehicle crash in the 1600 block of Aspen Street NW. Responding officers located an unresponsive adult male victim inside a vehicle that had crashed into a detached storage building in the area. Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel arrived on scene, removed the man from the vehicle, and began providing treatment. During that process, they discovered that he was suffering from what appeared to be serious gunshot wounds. Ultimately, Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced him deceased on scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting took place near the intersection of Tremont Drive and Fairland Road NW. Officers located evidence of a shooting in this area. It appears as though the male victim was shot at this location, then drove to Aspen Street NW where the motor vehicle crash occurred.

Details about what led to this shooting are limited at this time. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash, which resulted in a fatality.  The crash occurred Sunday, (Aug 27), at 10:00 p.m. on Goose Dam Road, one quarter mile south of Sontag Road in Franklin County. A 1995 Ford Explorer was traveling on Goose Dam Road, when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Skyer Evan Rorrer, 24, of Collinsville, Va. Mr. Rorrer was not wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene. The passengers in the vehicle were treated and released with minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

(Roanoke County, VA—August 27, 2023) Roanoke County Fire and Rescue responded at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday to the report of a residential structure fire in the 3300 block of Mount Pleasant Blvd.Roanoke County units from Mt. Pleasant, Vinton and Clearbrook, with assistance from RoanokeFire-EMS were on scene and brought the fire under control in about 10 minutes. One adult occupied the home. The occupant of the home was displaced and will be staying with family. Sadly, two pets were lost in the fire.

The Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the fire on Mt. Pleasant Blvd was accidental and the cause was due to an air fryer in the kitchen.  The total damages are estimated at $35,200.00. No injuries or human fatalities were reported. The residence did have smoke alarms which alerted the resident of the fire enabling them to get out safely.

Brian Reep

UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: Roanoke Police have arrested Brian S. Reep, 41 of Roanoke, and charged him with Malicious Wounding regarding this incident.

Reep was identified as a suspect throughout the course of the investigation. He was taken into custody this afternoon without incident. Thank you to personnel from the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force for assisting in locating and apprehending Reep.

PREVIOUS: Roanoke Police are investigating after three people were injured during a shooting in the 3800 block of Williamson Road near WR Brews early this morning. Authorities say two people were able to drive themselves to the hospital and the other was taken by an ambulance.  There was a gun-related murder outside the WR Brews Restaurant in October 2019.

NEWS RELEASE: On August 25, 2023 at approximately 1:15 a.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of reports of multiple people with gunshot wounds at a business in the 3800 block of Williamson Road NW. Responding officers located an adult male victim with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound on scene. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

While on scene, officers were notified that two additional victims – an adult female with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound – had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital via personal vehicle. Officers confirmed that these two additional victims were injured during the shooting in the 3800 block of Williamson Road NW.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a male subject was involved in a verbal altercation that became physical inside the business. The man left the business and returned a short time later. The altercation continued outside of the business, then escalated to a shooting. No suspects were located on scene. Detectives and officers are working to locate the suspect to further their investigation.

Further details about what led to this shooting are limited at this time. 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.