ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE: Dec. 28, 2020 at 11:40 a.m.
Roanoke city manager Bob Cowell shared the following statement with 10 News regarding the weekend shooting at Valley View Mall:
“The City continues to be concerned with the increase in gun violence we have experienced in the past year. This concern has led to an enhanced law enforcement response, including realignment of certain personnel to increase the resources available to respond to violent crime. This law enforcement response has been accompanied by a non-law enforcement response as well, involving the Gun Violence Task Force, use of a Rapid Response Team, etc. These efforts are intended to offer both short- and long-term outcomes. The City’s Police Department continues to investigate the most recent shooting and seeks assistance from anyone with further information about this incident.” -- City Manager Bob Cowell
Anyone with information is asked to call 540-344-8500 or text the police department at 274637, beginning the text with “Roanoke PD” to ensure the text is properly sent. Both calls and text can be sent anonymously.
UPDATE: Dec. 26, 2020 at 8:42 p.m.
One person is hospitalized after shots were fired in Valley View Mall on Saturday night.
At about 6:37 p.m., police said they received a call about gunfire inside the mall and officers were on the scene several minutes later.
According to Roanoke Police Chief Sam Roman, there were four shots fired and police were able to locate a victim in the shooting.
The victim was transported by Roanoke Fire-EMS to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Valley View Mall officials said there were several people involved in a verbal altercation, leading one person to shoot inside the mall.
Additional responding officers from the Roanoke County Police Department and Virginia State Police responded to safely assist in clearing patrons from the mall.
Roman said there are still employees inside the mall as officers are systematically going through the mall in teams to see if there is an existing threat. Currently, police said they have found no threats.
Once authorities deem that all common areas are safe, police will escort those employees out.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Details are very limited as the incident is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call 540-344-8500.
UPDATE - Dec. 26, 2020 at 7:38 p.m.
Roanoke Police says “RPD is investigating an incident at Valley View Mall. Please avoid the area.”
Valley View Mall says “police are onsite investigating an incident. The mall is currently closed.”
Police are onsite investigating an incident. The mall is currently closed. Updates will be provided here as needed. Questions should be directed to @rpdsafercity.
— Valley View Mall (@ValleyViewMall) December 27, 2020
Someone inside the mall at the time told 10 News she ran out of the mall after someone came by the store she was in yelling “Get out of there.”
10 News crews at the scene see more than a dozen police cars and other emergency vehicles outside the JC Penney entrance.
ORIGINAL STORY
There’s a large police presence at Valley View Mall in Roanoke Saturday night.
Police cars are outside of JCPenney.
Stay with 10 News on this breaking story.