Update: New Court Records Reveal Prior Gun-Related Charges in Southeast Roanoke Homicide Case
ROANOKE, Va. — Newly reviewed court records shed additional light on the criminal history of the suspect charged in connection with a recent homicide in southeast Roanoke, raising renewed questions about whether the deadly incident could have been prevented.
According to Roanoke City court records, Samuel Petit Davis is currently facing a second-degree murder charge stemming from an incident dated January 20, 2026. The charge is listed under Virginia Code §18.2-32, with a court hearing scheduled for January 21, 2026 in Roanoke City General District Court.
Prior Charges Revealed
Court records also show that Davis was charged in December 2025 with multiple gun-related and violent offenses, all originating from an alleged incident on December 27, 2025. Those charges include:
- Malicious Wounding (Virginia Code §18.2-51)
- Pointing/Brandishing a Firearm (Virginia Code §18.2-282)
- Carrying a Firearm in Public While Under the Influence (Virginia Code §18.2-308.012)
All of those charges were pending in Roanoke City General District Court, with hearings scheduled for January 20, 2026, just one day before the murder charge appeared in court records.
Public Safety Concerns
While court proceedings will ultimately determine responsibility, the timeline shown in these records has prompted public concern. The presence of recent firearm-related charges — including brandishing and carrying a gun while under the influence — has led many in the community to question whether additional safeguards or interventions could have reduced the risk of escalation.
At this stage, there is no official determination linking the earlier charges directly to the homicide. However, the proximity of the alleged offenses and the severity of the accusations have sparked broader discussion about repeat gun-related offenses and how the justice system manages individuals facing multiple violent charges.
Ongoing Investigation
The homicide investigation remains active. Authorities have not released additional details about the victim or the circumstances surrounding the incident in southeast Roanoke. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.