ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The Roanoke City Police Department has released further information surrounding the 50 person brawl Saturday at Stafano's on the Market that resulted in an officer firing off one shot.
Police say Sgt. M.E. Thompson was the officer who fired one round at the armed suspect early Saturday morning in the 100 block of Campbell Avenue. Thompson has been employed with the department for 13 years, police say.
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Sergeant Thompson was working an off-duty Dance Hall ordinance assignment at another downtown business when the incident occurred.
Police fire shot at gunman during a 50 person brawl at Stafano's on the Market
Police say per departmental policy, Sgt. Thompson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the separate criminal and administrative investigations into the matter.
According to Roanoke police, Captain S. Roman Jr. was the officer who spotted the suspect, identified as Malik Seanking Roman (no relation to Captain Roman), with the firearm in the parking lot just east of Stefano's on the Market.
Captain Roman was also working off-duty at another business near downtown and responded to Sergeant Thompson's call for assistance.
Detectives are analyzing potential video and physical evidence, as well as conducting follow ups on witness statements and other aspects of the case. The investigation remains ongoing.