Name released of man arrested after shooting, standoff in Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - UPDATE: Damoan S. Townes, 31 of Roanoke, was identified as the suspect in an overnight standoff in Roanoke, and is charged with two counts of Discharging a firearm within a building with malicious intent.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave per Roanoke Police policy. State Police have obtained the gun believed to have been used by the suspect after a search of the apartment.

EARLIER STORY: One person is in custody and roads were reopened Friday morning after an overnight standoff in Roanoke.

Roanoke Police told WDBJ7 they responded around 11 p.m. Thursday to a home in the 100 block of Elm Ave SW for a report of shots fired.

Police say when they arrived at the home, they did a well-being check and a person started shooting at officers. At least one Roanoke Police officer returned fire and officers took cover outside.

Several hours later, one person was arrested. A name has not yet been released.

No one was injured as a result of the incident, according to the Roanoke Police Department and Virginia State Police, who are taking over the investigation since Roanoke Police were involved in the shooting.

VSP says other residents who lived inside the apartments were also evacuated as police continued to work. A man who lives across the street says he had never seen anything like this.

“When I got to the building, I had an officer tell me to get back for my safety. He didn’t want me to be involved-- they wouldn’t let anyone know what was going on. After I saw it on the news that the suspect or whatever has been apprehended that’s when I stepped back outside,” said Byrant Hairston a nearby resident.

Elm Avenue was blocked from Williamson Road to Franklin Road; it has since been reopened to all traffic.

Police say there are no additional suspects.

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