From Roanoke City Police: On October 26, 2015 at 9:14 p.m. Roanoke Police responded to the 2800 block of Spring Road S.W. in reference to a gunshot wound. Upon their arrival, officers located Robert Neal Chambers, age 62 of Roanoke, with a gunshot wound to the head lying in the yard of a residence. Roanoke Fire EMS transported Chambers to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:43 a.m. this morning. Officers also located Mark Alfred Paulson, age 55 of Roanoke, lying in the same yard with a gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was located next to Paulson. Roanoke Fire EMS pronounced Paulson dead at the scene. Officers, detectives, and evidence technicians conducted interviews with witnesses, and collected physical evidence.
At this point in the investigation, it appears the shooting occurred as a result of an ongoing neighbor dispute between Paulson and Chambers. Prior to the shooting taking place, Chambers heard a noise outside of his residence and went outside to investigate. He discovered his personal vehicles covered with leaf dust and debris. Tracks though the Chambers’ yard indicated that someone had driven into the yard, spun out, and leaves and dust were cast onto Chambers’ vehicles. Chambers was outside in his own yard and was approached by Paulson. Chambers inquired if Paulson was responsible for the debris on his vehicles. A truck in Paulson’ s driveway had dirt and debris consistent with having driven through Chambers’ yard. An argument ensued between the two and Paulson produced a handgun, shooting Chambers’ prior to taking his own life. Both Chambers and Paulson will have autopsies performed at the medical examiner’s office. Detectives are still investigating this offense and Evidence technicians will be submitting physical evidence to the state lab for examination.
