ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE
Authorities have released the name of a teenage boy who was shot dead in southwest Roanoke Friday.
According to police, Tyler Polumbo, 16, was shot and killed in the 2100 block of Denniston Avenue SW just after 10 p.m. Roanoke City Public Schools confirmed Polumbo was a student at Patrick Henry High School.
Originally, Polumbo's name was not released because of his age. After a discussion with the victim's family, the Roanoke police department released his name Tuesday evening.
Neighbor Chase Averill says he heard one gunshot, then ran from his house to try and help Polumbo.
"I thought it was fireworks at first because some kids let off fireworks, then I heard his mom out there screaming," Averill said. "That's when I ran out there to make sure everything was alright. It's heartbreaking for me, that's all I can really say about it."
Averill says the shooting happened at Polumbo's house. Florists dropped off flowers on the family's doorstep Wednesday afternoon and friend Ronald Barber visited the house hours after the shooting to pay his respects.
"I'm sorry that this happened to Tyler," Barber said. "I hope that people can learn from this. We've got to stop one of these days."
Averill hopes whoever shot Polumbo will own up to the crime.
"He's just a coward. I'll say that right now," Averill said. "Doing that to an unarmed 16-year-old, I hope he rots."
The family has set up a GoFundMe page at this link.
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.
ORIGINAL STORY
Roanoke police announced Saturday morning that the victim of Friday night's shooting was a teenage boy and not an adult as police originally stated.
Just after 10 p.m., police responded to a report of a person who had been shot in the 2100 block of Denniston Avenue SW.
When officers arrived, they found the victim who had been shot.
Roanoke Fire-EMS pronounced the boy deceased on scene.
Police are currently on scene investigating.
No arrests have been made regarding this incident.
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.