Officer involved shooting in Roanoke; suspect killed

12:10 p.m. Wednesday

Roanoke Police have released the following news release:
The Roanoke Police Department is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on December 15, 2009. 
The department was investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred earlier that day on Tazewell Avenue. 
They responded to the residence on Tazewell Avenue at 2:32 a.m. 
The victim stated that three black males entered his residence.
He was assaulted by the suspects, bound with duct tape, and placed on the floor. 
The suspects fled the scene with the victim’s cell phone. 
No arrests were made immediately after the robbery was reported. 
In the course of conducting an investigation into the robbery, detectives contacted the victim’s stolen cell phone asking to speak to the victim.
The conversation then turned to a possible drug transaction. 
The victim was not aware of the conversation and had the phone deactivated while the deal was in progress. 
The detectives were later contacted by an individual calling from another cell phone to re-establish the transaction discussed earlier in the day. 
A meeting was arranged by the suspect to take place in the 600 block of Westwood Boulevard. 
Officers placed an empty undercover vehicle at this location under surveillance, after giving the suspect a description of the undercover car. 
At approximately 7:30 p.m., the detectives observed three suspects approach the vehicle, and two of the suspects attempted to gain entry into the vehicle. 
Marked police units then approached the suspects and the vehicle. 
Two of the suspects were immediately apprehended, and the third fled on foot. 
Police pursued the fleeing suspect in marked police units, one with emergency lights activated, across the 600 block of Westwood Boulevard onto the property of Greenvale School.  The first police vehicle, being operated by Officer J.W. Hicks pulled onto the scene and observed the suspect fleeing to the corner of the facility, where a large chain link fence connected to the side of the building. 
The suspect then emerged from the shadow of the building.
As the first officer exited his patrol vehicle, he reported observing a muzzle flash and hearing the sound of a gunshot. 
The second officer, Officer G.L. Lancaster, Jr. was still in his vehicle, and also reported observing a muzzle flash and hearing the sound of a gunshot coming from the suspect’s direction.
Officer Hicksreturned fire, striking the suspect.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. 
He had been identified as Raheen Alexander Alleyne, age 19 of Roanoke. 
Neither officer was injured.
The initial investigation revealed a firearm and one spent shell casing in close proximity of the suspect. 
Two shell casings were recovered of the same caliber of Officer Hicks’ department issued weapon. 
A cell phone was found on the deceased victim, which contained the phone number of a detective investigating the robbery. 
Officer Hicks and Officer Lancaster, Jr. are both K-9 officers, and both have been placed on administrative leave.
Officer Hicks was hired by the department in July of 2001.  Officer Lancaster, Jr. was hired by the department in July of 2003. 
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

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Updated Wednesday at 1:10 a.m.

Press Release from Roanoke Police:

The Roanoke Police Department is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on December 15, 2009.  The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Westwood Boulevard.

While conducting a robbery and narcotics investigation, officers confronted a suspect who opened fire on them.  One officer returned fire, striking the suspect.  The suspect, described as an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The investigation into the incident is ongoing.  Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. 

A press conference will be held at 11 a.m. in the Community Room at the Roanoke Police Department.

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11:08 p.m.

There are not a lot of details tonight, after Roanoke Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Westwood Boulevard.

Crime scene tape was put up outside Fairview Elementary School, but a police spokeswoman was not able to say if the shooting happened at the school.

One man who lives nearby says he heard three shots, but police could not confirm that at this point.  We’re also waiting to hear what led police to the area in the first place.

The victim is a man, but police say they are not able to say what his condition is, since they are working to notify his family.

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10:30 p.m.

WSLS has left messages with Roanoke City Schools to see whether the school would be open on Wednesday.  We have not heard back as of 10:30 p.m.

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9:16 p.m.

From Candice Nelson, in the field
WSLS Reporter

Roanoke City Police are investigating an officer involved shooting.

A police spokeswoman says the shooting happened in the 600 block of Westwood Boulevard Northwest, outside of Fairview Elementary School, around 7:30 p.m.

Police say an officer shot a man.  However, they would not say how many shots were fired, why the officer was there in the first place, or the name of the person shot.

More information as it becomes available, and a full update as we get it on WSLS at 11:00 p.m.