Troutville, Va. – UPDATE: Virginia State Police say a driver was shot while traveling along Interstate 81(I-81) North in Botetourt County Friday morning. It happened between Exit 146 (Hollins) and Exit 150 (Troutville).
According to police, the call came in around 10:19am. The victim, a male, was hit in the leg and treated at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
10 News spoke with a relative of the victim who wished to remain anonymous. They said the bullet went through the driver’s car door toward the bottom of the vehicle and said it was a “random stray bullet” and that there were four passengers in the car, including a child under 6-years-old. The relative said no one else in the car was injured.
Police say, they reported to a nearby McDonald’s off Exit 150, where the victim called for help once he realized he had been shot.
State police shut down I-81 North between exits 146 and 150 for about an hour to search for shell casings and evidence. The northbound lanes were reopened around 1p.m. after investigators completed interviews and a sweep of the area.
A few Botetourt County schools briefly went into secure status while officers investigated nearby, including Lord Botetourt High School, Read Mountain Middle, and Cloverdale Elementary. Botetourt County school officials said in a statement, “During secure, students and staff remain inside the building, and instruction continues as normal.” Officials say the secure lasted less than 30 minutes, and there was never a direct threat to students or staff.
Virginia State Police say no suspect has been identified yet, and the investigation with the state and Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Division remains active. They ask anyone with information to contact the state police at #77 or 1-800-542-5959.
UPDATE 2:16 p.m.:
Botetourt County Public Schools has reported that due to the temporary closure of I-81 earlier and increased traffic, some bus routes, primarily along the southern attendance zones, may be delayed today.
A shooting incident on Interstate 81 northbound near Troutville prompted a police investigation, a traffic detour, and a brief secure status at several Botetourt County schools, officials said.
At 10:19 a.m., Virginia State Police received reports of a shooting between the scales and Exit 150 on I-81 northbound. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot injury and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The shooting led to police activity at the Troutville McDonald’s near Exit 150 and a detour on I-81 northbound from Exit 146 (Hollins) to Exit 150 (Troutville). The detour began at noon and was lifted by 1:07 p.m. after an evidence sweep by Virginia State Police.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Division, is interviewing the victim as part of the ongoing investigation. No suspect has been identified, and the circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear.
In response to the incident and related sheriff’s office investigation in the community, Lord Botetourt High School, Read Mountain Middle School, and Cloverdale Elementary School briefly entered a secure status this morning for less than 30 minutes.
During the secure period, students and staff remained inside the buildings and continued instruction as normal. Botetourt County Public Schools confirmed that at no time were there any threats to students, staff, or the schools.
The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department assisted Virginia State Police during the response. Residents were advised to expect heavy traffic along Route 11 between Hollins and the roundabout at Exit 150 during the detour.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and encourage anyone with information to contact Virginia State Police at #77 or 1-800-542-5959.