ROANOKE, Va. – Update:
The Roanoke Police Department announced that a 34-year-old man has been arrested and charged with Second-Degree Murder in connection with a homicide in Roanoke Wednesday morning.
Officials say that after a preliminary investigation, it was determined that the suspect, 34-year-old Kurt James Davis, and the victim, 80-year-old Susan B. Williams of Roanoke, were not known to each other. RPD said that Davis had no fixed address.
According to officials, the victim was in a hallway of the apartment complex when she was brutally assaulted.
“We located her outside,” said RPD Spokesperson Hannah Glasgow. “Still, the exact circumstances of what happened are under investigation, but at this point the investigation is leaning towards that the assault occurred inside to start.”
“I can say there was significant trauma,” Glasgow added.
The investigation is ongoing, RPD said.
Neighbors and residents reacted to the tragic murder on Wednesday. John Boitnott, who lives nearby, said he woke up to see flashing police lights.
“Wake up and you have a snow day, that’s nice, and then you look out the door and you have a crime scene going on,” said Boitnott. “I’ve lived here three years in this neighborhood. It’s just not something I’d expect to see, but it’s been crazy.”
“This is a nice neighborhood. I’ve always felt really safe here and just to have a murder happen, it’s one of the last things I’d expect,” he added.
Violent crime is rare in South Roanoke. The apartment complex is located at the corner of South Jefferson Street and McClanahan St SW. The crime scene is just two blocks from the Crystal Spring neighborhood center, home to popular restaurants and shops.
In the last four weeks, Roanoke Police have only reported six other crimes within a half-mile radius of the the murder. The crimes include theft, larceny, fraud, and one simple assault.
Davis has had an extensive criminal history, according to online court records, his most recent offense was back in November of last year for public intoxication, his third time being charged with an offense of that nature.
Davis was also arrested and charged with multiple counts of arson and burglary back in 2018, when he set several pizza boxes on fire at the Little Caesars on Brandon Avenue, in an attempt to burn down the restaurant. The building sustained significant damage and even shut down for a period. Davis pled guilty in court in July of 2018 and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Stay with 10 News for the latest on this developing story.
Original Story:
The Roanoke Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened early Wednesday morning on Yellow Mountain Road SE.
At about 5:13 a.m., officers responded to a call about an assault in the 2100 block. When they arrived, they found a woman with severe injuries, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Not long after, officers took an man into custody, according to Roanoke Police.
As the investigation continues, 22nd Street SE is currently closed between Stanley Avenue and Jefferson Street.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops
