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Man charged after officer-involved shooting in downtown Roanoke

Authorities say no one was hurt in the incident

Damoan Townes (Credit: Roanoke City Jail) (WSLS)

ROANOKE, Va.UPDATE 3:28 P.M.:

A man has been charged in connection with an officer-involved shooting that happened on Thursday night in downtown Roanoke, according to the Virginia State Police.

Police said that the incident began at 11:02 p.m. on Thursday when the Roanoke Police Department responded to a report of possible shots fired in the 100 block of Elm Avenue.

When they arrived, a second round of gunshots was fired from inside the apartment, VSP said.

Authorities said that the officers returned fire, leading to a four-hour standoff.

Police at the scene evacuated the building and around 3:30 a.m. on Friday, when VSP said that the man surrendered and was taken into custody.

Damoan Towns, 31, was charged with two counts of discharging a firearm inside of a building with malicious intent, according to VSP.

During the search of the apartment, VSP said that they recovered the firearm, which they say is believed to have been used in the shooting.

Police said that the Roanoke Police Department officers were placed on leave per their policy, and will remain on leave until the investigation is complete.

The incident is still under investigation.


ORIGINAL STORY:

A suspect is now in custody after a shots fired incident in downtown Roanoke, according to the Roanoke Police Department.

Authorities say they were called to the 100 Block of Elm Ave at about 11 p.m. Thursday for the report of possible shots fired.

After arriving, officers entered an apartment building to conduct a well-being check. Not long after, they encountered a suspect inside who began shooting, the department says.

That’s when at least one Roanoke Police Officer returned fire as officers took cover outside of the building, Roanoke Police report.

We’re told no one was hurt in the incident.

According to Roanoke Police, there are no additional suspects and there is no threat to the public at this time.

Officers say the 100 block of Elm Avenue SW is now open to traffic after being closed.

The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently processing the scene of the officer-involved shooting for evidence.

10 News is working to learn more and will update this story as we get updates.


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Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.

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