In the early morning hours of August 28, 2022, the life of Octavius Z. Cooke, a 25-year-old Black/African American male from Rocky Mount, Virginia, was tragically cut short in a shooting in northwest Roanoke. The Roanoke Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 2:45 a.m. in the 1900 block of 10th Street NW. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Cooke in a parking lot with critical injuries.
Emergency medical aid was administered at the scene before Cooke
was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Another man was also involved in the incident, arriving at the same hospital with gunshot wounds that were not considered life-threatening.
Preliminary details from the investigation suggest that the shooting stemmed from an altercation that took place outside of a local business. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made in connection with the death of Octavius Z. Cooke. The investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing. Authorities have encouraged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and contact the Roanoke Police Department.
