New court records are shedding more light on the deadly shooting that happened outside Windsor Hills United Methodist Church in southwest Roanoke earlier this month.
According to search warrant documents filed in Roanoke Circuit Court, investigators say the Sept. 3 shooting stemmed from a dispute between two drivers that began on the road before escalating in the church parking lot.
Police identified the man who died as 56-year-old John Robert Alexander of Roanoke. Alexander suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court records indicate the other driver, a 38-year-old man who has not been charged, told investigators the confrontation began after he cut Alexander off in traffic. He said the situation later escalated into a physical altercation in the parking lot at 3591 Windsor Road.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Alexander’s gray Toyota Camry and the other man’s black Jeep Compass traveling in the 3500 block of Mudlick Road shortly before the shooting. According to the court records, the Jeep can be seen crossing a double-yellow line to pass the Camry.
The two vehicles later ended up at the church, where the fatal confrontation occurred.
The shooter remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. He has told police that he fired in self-defense.
Roanoke Police are continuing to investigate that claim and are working to piece together exactly what happened before the shooting. Search warrants have been obtained for both drivers’ cellphones, along with electronic data from Alexander’s Camry.
Court documents also indicate that firearms and ammunition were recovered from both vehicles.
Investigators are expected to present their findings to a Roanoke Circuit Court grand jury, which will determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Based on the current timeline, the case is not expected to reach the grand jury before early November.
No charges have been announced at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
💬 What do you think? Should more of the available traffic or surveillance footage be released to the public before the case goes before a grand jury?