Travis Tauren Martin Obituary, – The identity of the man who was shot and killed by Roanoke Police on Saturday has been released by the Virginia State Police.
According to the State Police, the man has been identified as Travis Tauren Martin, a 41-year-old resident of Roanoke. The incident took place in the 2900 block of Hershberger Road NW when Roanoke officers pulled Martin over in traffic. It is reported that Martin exited his vehicle with a weapon and advanced towards the officers. The weapon was later recovered at the scene by investigators.
The Virginia State Police are currently conducting an investigation at the request of the Roanoke City Police Department. Once the investigation is concluded, the findings will be handed over to the Roanoke Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review.
The incident began when the Roanoke Police responded to reports of a man shouting threats at police officers outside the Roanoke Police Department. The same man also made a 911 call threatening to kill all Roanoke Police officers. The Roanoke Police obtained warrants for Threats Over Public Airways and initiated a search for the man, who was later identified as Martin.
After allegedly damaging an officer’s vehicle in a neighboring jurisdiction, officers obtained a warrant for Property Damage and continued their search for Martin. He was eventually located at a business in the Valley View area, where officers began to follow him.
The traffic stop occurred on the 2900 block of Hershberger Road, where Martin came to a stop in the turning lane at the intersection of Hershberger Road and Ferncliff Avenue. It was during this stop that Martin struck a patrol car multiple times with a weapon, believed to be an axe or hatchet, and advanced towards the officers, resulting in the use of lethal force by the police. Martin was pronounced dead at the scene by Roanoke Fire-EMS. The officers involved in the incident were unharmed and have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.
