UPDATE 1:01 p.m.: News details about Thursday night’s shooting in northwest Roanoke have been shared by the Roanoke Police Department, including the name of the man facing charges in connection with the shooting and the police chase that followed.
According to the department, word came in at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 about a person who had been shot in the 4500 block of Melrose Avenue NW.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man inside a business with what appeared to be a serious gunshot wound, so first responders brought him to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Authorities say that the investigation determined the shooting victim was involved in an argument with 51-year-old Sterling D. Whitfield Sr. of Roanoke.
However, that argument reportedly escalated into a shooting and Whitfield drove away from the scene before police arrived, causing officers to immediately start searching for him.
A short time later, police say they noticed Whitfield’s vehicle near the scene. Once officers identified Whitfield as the driver, they tried to pull him over, but instead of complying with the traffic stop, he started accelerating.
Authorities chased after Whitfield until his vehicle crashed at Country Club Drive NW, at which point he got out of the vehicle and tried to run away. After a brief pursuit, officers took Whitfield into custody without further incident.
According to police, Whitfield was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, brandishing, abduction, hit-and-run, and felony eluding. He in currently being held at the Roanoke City Jail.
As of this writing, officials tell WFXR News that the investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
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ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — For at least the sixth time in a month, authorities responded to reports of a shooting in northwest Roanoke Thursday night.
According to the Roanoke Police Department, officers were called to the 4500 block of Melrose Avenue NW just before 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 and ended up finding a man who had been shot.
Police tell WFXR News the man was taken to the hospital, but there is no word on his condition at this time.
During the early morning hours on Friday, July 1, authorities say that a person was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
WFXR News is working to learn more about this incident.
This is a developing story.
