On a winter night in Roanoke, Virginia, the life of 55-year-old Ronald Lee Ramey was tragically cut short. On January 4, 2015, Ramey was one of two men killed in a shooting that erupted during a large, private party held in the 3600 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW. The gathering, which took place at the former Obenchain's Garden Center, was attended by a large and disorderly crowd.
Evidence collected at the scene indicated the presence of alcohol, drugs, and firearms.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of Ramey and 29-year-old Lenard Antonio Hamlett. Ramey was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, while Hamlett died at the scene. Four other individuals also sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. The immediate aftermath of the shooting was chaotic, with responding officers and first responders facing a lack of cooperation from many of the partygoers as they attempted to provide aid to the victims and gather information about what had transpired.
Despite the initial challenges, the Roanoke Police Department's investigation made significant progress. Detectives were able to interview witnesses, process physical evidence, and review video footage associated with the case. A vehicle of interest was seized, which provided crucial evidence that aided in the investigation. This led to the identification and arrest of two suspects. One of the men, Demetrius Wade, was charged with the murders of Ramey and Hamlett.
In a turn of events during his trial in February 2016, Demetrius Wade, who had initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to 'no contest' after a full morning of jury selection. He accepted a plea agreement on murder and firearms charges. During the sentencing, it was stated that Wade would spend at least 48 years in prison for the shooting deaths. Family members of Ronald Ramey expressed their satisfaction with the verdict, stating that justice had been served for a man they described as a loving family member and an innocent bystander. Another man, William Cobbler, was also convicted of several weapons charges in connection to the incident and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
