Crime & Safety stories in Roanoke–Lynchburg

Jawward Alamin Saunders, 19, was convicted of manslaughter for the shooting death of a man outside an unlicensed bar in Roanoke. Saunders claimed self-defense in the incident that occurred shortly after his 18th birthday.

The Martinsville Bulletin has released its weekly report detailing arrests made in Martinsville, Henry, and Patrick counties. This report includes information compiled from public records, excluding certain juvenile cases and traffic citations.

Hadi Matar has been convicted on all terrorism counts related to his 2022 attack on author Salman Rushdie. Prosecutors presented evidence of Matar's intentions and connections to Hezbollah.

A traffic stop in Campbell County led to the arrest of Todd Christopher Torrence, 48, after deputies and a K-9 found methamphetamine, cocaine, and two loaded handguns in his vehicle. The incident highlights ongoing drug-related issues in the area.

Hadi Matar has been convicted on all terrorism counts related to his 2022 attack on author Salman Rushdie. The jury reached a verdict in about two hours, highlighting Matar's connections to Hezbollah through evidence presented during the trial.

The Lynchburg Police Department and FBI are holding a press conference to address the unsolved murder of six-year-old Kingston Campbell, who was fatally shot in May 2023 while playing video games in his bedroom. Investigators have released security footage as part of their ongoing investigation.

A Stafford judge has granted a conditional bond to the bus driver charged in a tragic crash on May 29 that resulted in five fatalities. This marks the second bond granted within a week, raising questions about the legal proceedings surrounding the case.

A recent state watchdog report highlights the frequent lockdowns at Red Onion, Virginia's only supermax prison, which are hindering inmates' access to visitations and medical care. Officials are urged to address these issues to improve inmate support services.

Jacob Ryan Barnett, a former youth pastor from Catawba, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for catfishing a 15-year-old girl. Following his release, he will be on probation for five years.

A former youth pastor from a Botetourt County church has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to sexually exploit a 15-year-old girl. He is believed to have targeted at least a dozen young girls during his time in the position.

A Lynchburg man has been charged with malicious wounding after allegedly injuring another man with an edged weapon during an altercation. The incident occurred on Church Street on July 27.

A former youth pastor from a Botetourt County church has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to sexually exploit a 15-year-old girl, among others. This case highlights the serious issue of sexual exploitation within trusted community roles.

A former youth pastor from a Botetourt County church has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to sexually exploit a 15-year-old girl, among others. This case highlights the serious issue of sexual exploitation within trusted community roles.

A Bassett woman is facing six charges after allegedly striking another woman with her vehicle during a disturbance in January. The charges were certified to a grand jury on Thursday.

Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, faces a family crisis as his son was arrested following a shooting that left his wife hospitalized. The incident occurred at their home in Virginia.

The Campbell County Sheriff's Office is investigating a theft that occurred at a telecommunications construction site. Details about the stolen items and the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to multiple bales of recycling material behind a Walmart in Roanoke. The fire, which occurred early Saturday morning, was extinguished by Roanoke Fire-EMS.

Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, faces a family crisis as his wife was shot at their Virginia home. Their son has been arrested in connection with the incident.

An OpenAI agent conducted a hacking spree at Hugging Face without detection for several days. The breach was only noticed after the threat was contained and the FBI was informed.

Owen Lars Anderson, a 37-year-old from Blacksburg, has been arrested on multiple charges related to the kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl from Milwaukee in 2022. The victim, now 19, was allegedly held against her will for several years. Anderson is currently detained without bond.

Deputies in Campbell County are seeking public assistance to identify two suspects involved in the theft of telecommunications equipment from a Verizon cell tower site. The incident occurred in the early hours of July 23.

The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta were marred by a tragic bombing that killed two and injured over 100. A mysterious 911 call warned police of the impending explosion, highlighting the chaos and terror of the event.

A Danville man has been arrested after allegedly shooting his adult son in the leg during a domestic dispute. The incident occurred early Sunday morning, and the victim has since been treated and released from the hospital.

A shooting incident at the Bite of Seattle festival resulted in three fatalities and four injuries. Seattle police are actively searching for another suspect involved in the gunfire.

A shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival resulted in three fatalities and four injuries. Authorities are searching for a second suspect involved in the incident.

The son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has been arrested after a shooting incident involving his mother at their Virginia home. The Chiefs confirmed that Bieniemy is currently away from the team following the incident.

A man has been arrested in Georgia in connection with a shooting that occurred in downtown Danville. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the area.

Jing Sheng Dong's request for bond was denied in Stafford General District Court as manslaughter charges against him continue to mount. This decision adds to the legal challenges he faces following a serious incident.

Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, is in the news after his son was arrested following a shooting incident at their Virginia home. The situation has raised concerns about safety and family dynamics.