ROANOKE, Va. – 4.22 UPDATE:
The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke announced Wednesday that, after a review of the VSP investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Roanoke in December, bringing criminal charges against the officers would not be appropriate. The Commonwealth’s Attorney said charges against the officers will not be brought or pursued.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said that Bryson was a known fugitive who had outstanding warrants from various jurisdictions, including Roanoke City:
- Eluding Police with Endangerment (Felony)
- Hit and Run with Injury (Felony)
- Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor)
- Drive on a Suspended Operator’s License (Misdemeanor)
Roanoke County:
- Eluding Police with Endangerment (Felony)
- Drive on a Suspended Operator’s License (Misdemeanor)
- Fail to Stop at a Stop Sign (Infraction)
New Jersey:
- Attempted Murder
As a result of the warrants VSP and U.S. Marshals embarked on an operation to locate Bryson. Efforts to find Bryson proved successful and police spotted him at 2:45 p.m. near Lancelot Lane.
Agents spotted Bryson leaving his apartment and getting into a vehicle with a female passenger. Agents immediately tried to box in his vehicle but Bryson struck multiple vehicles whis his and fled the scene.
A pursuit began and Bryson began fleeing at a high rate of speed. Eventually, the pursuit was terminated.
Law enforcement continued to look for Bryson's vehicle, and it was located in the 500 block of Rutherford Ave NW. Attempts to locate Bryson were successful, and he was tracked to a house in the 700 block of Harrison Ave NW.
Officers were told Bryson was in the residence and armed with a firearm. Police officers attempted to communicate with Bryson and convince him to surrender but he refused. A hostage negotiator attempted to connect with Bryson and again convince him to surrender.
The negotiations lasted well over two hours, but attempts to reach a peaceful resolution to the standoff ultimately proved unsuccessful.
When negotiations failed, a VSP Special Operations team made a tactical entry into the rear of the residence. Simultaneous to this entry, police also launched canisters of OC gas and CS powder into the rear of the residence in a non-lethal attempt to force Bryson out of the residence. In spite of these combined efforts, Bryson did not leave the residence nor did he surrender
The Commonwealth's Attorney said the following:
Once inside the residence, the VSP Special Operations Team staged at the bottom of the steps while Bryson remained in the upstairs hallway. Officers continued to convince him to surrender peacefully, but Bryson refused. Bryson appeared to be consuming alcohol during this time and he was exhibiting signs of intoxication. On several occasions, Bryson stated “just kill me” or “just shoot me” in response to verbal attempts to get him to surrender.
At 6:56 p.m., while the VSP Special Operations Team remained posted at the bottom of the steps, Bryson crouched on the upstairs floor and brandished a handgun at the officers. As a result, Troopers Keesee and Salamanca both discharged their firearms at Bryson, striking him.
Officers immediately began rendering medical aid to Bryson and Roanoke City EMS also arrived to render aid. Medics were unable to revive Bryson, however and he would succumb to his injuries. The Medical Examiner would determine the cause of death to be “Gunshot wounds of the neck, torso and upper extremities.” Bryson had a .23 BAC at the time of his death, nearly three times the legal limit. He also had traces of Fentanyl in his system.
Special Agents of the Virginia State Police located a loaded firearm near Markieth Bryson (photograph attached below.) This was a loaded .40 caliber handgun with 12 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of 13 rounds
The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke, John McNeil
The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke, John McNeil, issued the following in a release that reads in part:
Based upon the facts available to me, I am of the opinion that the actions of Markieth Bryson placed Troopers Salamanca and Keesee in a position where they reasonably believed that they were facing the imminent possibility of death or serious bodily injury. Bryson was a known violent felon who had already exhibited a reckless disregard for the safety of law enforcement and the general community earlier in the day. He had multiple outstanding warrants including Attempted Murder. He was heavily intoxicated and high on Fentanyl, which is scientifically proven to impair decision making and leads to impulsive, high risk behavior.
Most importantly, when Bryson was confronted by law enforcement inside the residence at Harrison Ave.. he made the conscious decision to refuse to surrender and ultimately arm himself with a deadly weapon. It was only when that weapon was pointed at the VSP Troopersthat they opened fire. Therefore, I am of the opinion that, under the law of Virginia, and the facts in this matter, both officers were justified in discharging their weapons. Criminal chargesagainst the officers involved are not appropriate under these circumstances, and none will be pursued.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Roanoke, John McNeil
UPDATE
A Roanoke man wanted by U.S. Marshals was fatally shot by officers after barricading himself inside a home for several hours, according to Virginia State Police.
On Monday at about 3:45 p.m., the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force attempted to stop the suspect on Hershberger Road near Peters Creek Road. Instead of stopping, the man struck several police vehicles and fled the scene, authorities said.
Police later found him inside a home in the 700 block of Harrison Avenue and tried to negotiate with him to surrender. After several hours, the Virginia State Police Tactical Team went inside the home, and the man pulled out a weapon, authorities said. He was shot by officers and died at the scene, according to Virginia State Police.
The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Markieth O. Bryson Jr., of Roanoke. We’re told no officers were injured.
The Virginia State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Salem Field Office is investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the City of Roanoke, Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
According to Virginia State Police policy, the Troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave until the completion of the investigation.
ORIGINAL STORY
There is a heavy police presence on the 700 block of Harrison Avenue NW in Roanoke in regards to a barricaded suspect in the area, Roanoke Police Department said.
RPD said residents should expect a heavy police presence for the time being.
This is a developing story. 10 News will update you as more information becomes available.