ROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE
One person has been arrested after a standoff in Southwest Roanoke on Wednesday, according to Roanoke City Police PIO Caitlyn Cline.
Authorities told 10 News the initial call came in around 2 p.m. for a mental health crisis in the Avenham Avenue SW area. About twenty-five minutes later, police said there was a call for shots fired.
Police told 10 News the person was taken into custody without incident around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
RPD asked citizens to avoid the area as they worked to make an arrest, and school bus routes were also impacted as a result of the barricade situation.
Authorities said the person is being taken to get a mental health evaluation and has a warrant for reckless handling of a firearm.
Other details, including the person’s name and more information surrounding the incident, are limited at this time.
Stay with 10 News as this story develops
ORIGINAL STORY
The Roanoke Police Department is responding to a barricade situation in Southwest Roanoke.
We’re told there is a heavy police presence in the area, which may continue for some time.
Authorities told 10 News the initial call came in around 2 p.m. for a mental health crisis. About twenty-five minutes later, police said there was a call for shots fired.
Police say they have not fired any shots as of around 5 p.m., and they are asking citizens to avoid the area in the map below as they work to take the person into custody.
Residents in the area were being allowed to leave their homes in the area because of the situation, and media crews were being staged away from the scene for safety reasons.
Several bus routes in the area were impacted by the police presence, according to Roanoke City School Officials.
Officials said the following buses were not able to drop off students whose bus stop is within this area:
- Bus 13 (Patrick Henry)
- Bus 14 (Crystal Spring and Patrick Henry)
- Bus 17 (Highland Park)
- Bus 41 (Highland Park)
- Bus 102 (James Madison)
- Bus 403 (Fallon Park)
Students who weren’t able to get off the bus were taken back to their school to be picked up, school leaders said. Families were also able to call ahead to pick students up.
We’re told secondary bus routes were expected to be delayed because of the situation.
10 News has a crew at the scene working for you to learn more.
Stay with 10 News as this story develops