A Roanoke man involved in the shooting of a Vinton store clerk during an attempted robbery has now been sentenced.
👉 Brandon Wayne Sawyers, 20, was sentenced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to 6 years in prison for his role in the violent incident.
The case stems from a May 27 robbery and shooting, where police say Sawyers, along with 18-year-old Damitri Joshua Smith, attempted to rob a store and shot a clerk during the crime. Both suspects were originally charged with: Attempted robbery causing serious bodily injury Malicious wounding Unlawfully shooting in the commission of a felony
⚠️ COMMUNITY REACTION This case shook the Vinton area when it first happened, and now with sentencing handed down, many are asking if 6 years is enough for a crime that involved shooting a store employee.
💬 WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is this sentence fair… or should it have been harsher?