(Roanoke County, VA—July 20, 2020) The suspect in Sunday’s incident at Food Lion on Plantation Road is identified as Broderick Paul Jeffery, 35, of Roanoke City.
At 1:45 p.m. Sunday, July 19, Roanoke County Police responded to a call of a man with a gun at the Food Lion in the 4800 block of Hollins Road. The investigation revealed the suspect, Mr. Jeffery, had been walking down Plantation Road toward Food Lion carrying a handgun and fired multiple shots around randomly. No one was struck. Mr. Jeffery made his way into Food Lion and began pacing, continually asking for help. He then approached an employee from behind, grabbing him and pushing the gun against the employee’s body. The employee heard multiple clicks indicating Mr. Jeffery was trying to fire the weapon but it didn’t discharge. Another employee attempted to assist and subdue Mr. Jeffery. That employee also had the weapon pointed at him with Mr. Jeffery again attempting to fire the weapon unsuccessfully. This happened again to a third employee before Mr. Jeffery exited the store and went out onto Plantation Road where he was confronted by a Roanoke County police officer arriving at that time. Mr. Jeffery dropped the firearm upon commands by police but then rushed toward the police vehicle and entered the front seat on the passenger side. Officers pulled Mr. Jeffery from the police vehicle and subdued him. The officer realized Mr. Jeffery appeared to be under the influence of some type of substance and requested an ambulance to transport Mr. Jeffery to the hospital. County police detained him at the hospital until he was discharged this evening and taken to the Roanoke County- Salem Jail.
Charges include:
- 3 counts - Attempt Malicious Wounding
- 3 counts - Use of Firearm Commission of a Felony 3 counts - Assault and Battery
- 3 counts - Brandishing of a Firearm
- 2 counts - Reckless handling of a Firearm
