Crime and Public Safety
UPDATE: Roanoke Police say the victim of a shooting yesterday died today from his wounds. He is identified as 21-year-old Brandon Hensley of Roanoke. Police say he was fatally shot in the 3800 block of Panorama Drive Northwest. At last word, there are no suspects or arrests in what is now a murder investigation.
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: We regret to inform you that the victim of this incident has succumbed to his injuries. He has been identified as Brandon Hensley, 21 of Roanoke. This remains an ongoing homicide investigation. No arrests have been made and no further updates are available at this time.
PREVIOUS: On July 1, 2021 at approximately 5:00 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 3800 block of Panorama Avenue NW. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound outside a residence in the area. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported him to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Officers did not locate any suspects on scene and no arrests have been made. No further information is available at this time. 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.
NOTE: This was the first of two afternoon shootings on two consecutive days in Roanoke. Police report that on Friday, another man was shot on the 900 block of Mountain Road.
Photo: Salem City
PREVIOUS: Salem Police say two people were taken to the hospital last night following a shooting on the opening night of this year’s Salem Fair. As a result, the fairgrounds were closed and fairgoers were sent home. Authorities say one of the victims sustained serious injuries, while the other victim’s injuries are said to be non life threatening. A suspect said to be under the age of 16 was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
NEWS RELEASE: The Salem Police Department responded to the sound of gunshots at the Salem Fair on Wednesday night at approximately 8:57 p.m. Officers, who were patrolling the midway when the shots were heard, observed a suspect with a gun, chased the individual down and took him into custody. The suspect is a juvenile male under the age of 16.The officers also discovered two male victims with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Salem Fire and EMS personnel. One victim suffered serious injuries in the incident, while the other had non-life-threatening injuries. This crime remains under investigation, and Salem Police are asking that any eyewitnesses please take the time to provide an account of the incident by calling 375-3083. The Salem Fair, which is normally open until 11 p.m., closed shortly after the incident.
PREVIOUS: Salem Police say two gunshots were fired on the opening night of this year’s Salem Fair. As a result, the fairgrounds were closed and fairgoers were sent home. There are no initial reports of any injuries, and there are no further details immediately available. Reports from the scene indicate multiple police agencies are present to investigate the gunshots.
With marijuana possession and use becoming legal in Virginia on Thursday, AAA is voicing concerns on the impacts that stoned drivers may have on traffic accidents, injuries and deaths. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the evidence from other states like Colorado and Washington is clear: the traffic accident numbers significantly increase after marijuana use becomes legal. Spokesperson Martha Mead says enforcement is a challenge, because unlikely alcohol, there is no set cannabis impairment limit. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE HAS ISSUED AN ENDANGERED MISSING CHILD ALERT ON BEHALF OF THE RICHLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT ON JUNE 28, 2021 AT 1122 HOURS. Please not this is NOT an AMBER Alert, as it does not fulfill the criteria for an AMBER Alert – https://www.vaamberalert.com/VSPalerts-activation_criteria.htm
(Update 6/29 3 PM) The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call yesterday of a shooting at the Cannaday’s Store in Boones Mill. One male victim was transported to the hospital; the suspect, 55-year-old Emmitt Southern of Princeton, West Virginia, is now in custody. The victim – Kelly Hall, 49 of Rocky Mount, is still hospitalized. The two knew each another.
MGN
NEWS RELEASE: On June 25, 2021 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified of a person with a gunshot wound in the 2300 block of Orange Avenue NE. Responding officers located an adult male with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Details about what lead up to the shooting are limited at this time. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made 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.
Virginia State Police Trooper G.L. Goad is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Franklin County. The crash occurred June 18, 2021 at 7:45 p.m. on Snow Creek Road/Rte. 890, just east of Shady Grove Road/Rte. 882.
A 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling west on Snow Creek Road when it crossed the centerline and struck an eastbound 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The impact of the crash caused the Toyota to run off the road and strike a tree. The motorcyclist, Richard L. Boyce, Jr., 30, and the passenger, Chastedy R. Boyce, 29, were both thrown from the motorcycle and were flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Both are Bassett, Va. residents and were wearing helmets. Richard Boyce, Jr. succumbed to his injuries on June 22.
The driver of the Toyota, Lori D. Oyler, 52, of Martinsville, Va., was transported by ambulance to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening, injuries. She was wearing a seatbelt. Charges at this time are pending and the crash remains under investigation.
John_McAfee_by_Gage
Skidmore_
John McAfee, the security software pioneer and Roanoke College alum who tried to embrace life as an outsider while running from legal troubles, including possible murder, was found dead in a Spanish jail cell on Wednesday. His death came just hours after a Spanish court announced that it had approved his extradition to the United States to face tax charges punishable by decades in prison, authorities said. McAfee, who was among other things a cryptocurrency promoter, tax opponent, U.S. presidential candidate and fugitive who publicly embraced drugs, guns and sex, had a history of legal troubles spanning from Tennessee to Central America to the Caribbean.