Star News Rocky Mount

09/22/2026

What began as an aggravated assault investigation in Henry County has now taken a much more serious turn after the victim died from his injuries.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office announced that 64-year-old Frederick Murray died Saturday, September 19, from injuries he suffered during an assault at his Brook Court residence on September 14.

Deputies were called to 43 Brook Court around 5:45 a.m. on September 14 and found Murray inside the home suffering from severe injuries. He was treated at the scene by Henry County Public Safety before being airlifted to an area hospital, where he remained hospitalized until his death.

Investigators also discovered evidence that someone had forced their way into the residence. Murray’s Toyota Camry was also missing.

The investigation took an interesting turn when a concerned citizen contacted law enforcement after spotting the stolen Camry on property in Patrick County. Patrick County deputies responded and confirmed the vehicle was Murray’s.

Investigators subsequently developed information identifying Robert Glenn Wagoner Jr. as a suspect.

Henry County investigators located Wagoner at a family member’s residence and took him into custody. Evidence connected to the investigation was also recovered.

Wagoner was initially charged with:

Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit Assault and Battery
Aggravated Malicious Wounding
Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

Now, with Murray’s death, those charges are expected to be enhanced at the direction of the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Wagoner remains incarcerated without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center.

The Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains active and additional information about the enhanced charges will be released when appropriate.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office also thanked Henry County Public Safety, Virginia State Police and the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

One thing is certain: this case is no longer simply an aggravated assault investigation. The death of Murray has changed the legal picture considerably, with prosecutors now determining the appropriate enhanced charges.

09/21/2026

UPDATE: Virginia State Police say Jayquan Morton has been transported to the magistrate and is being held WITHOUT BOND. His current location is being withheld from public disclosure due to safety and security concerns.

What started as a reported road-rage-style shooting on South Main Street has now turned into a criminal case involving a two-year veteran of the Danville Police Department.

According to Virginia State Police, the Danville Police Department received a report during the morning hours of September 20 that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire while traveling southbound on South Main Street, just before the Route 29 Expressway.

Investigators say a male and female were inside a sedan when a silver SUV allegedly sped up behind them and opened fire.

Multiple rounds were fired into the sedan.

Fortunately, neither victim was struck.

The vehicle, however, wasn't so lucky.

Investigators determined that the suspect and one of the victims were known to each other.

When evidence pointed toward an off-duty Danville police officer as a suspect, Danville Police Chief Chris Wiles requested that the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation take over the case.

That investigation ultimately led to charges against 22-year-old Jayquan Morton, who has served approximately two years with the Danville Police Department.

Morton was charged with:

Two counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding
Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle
Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
Discharge of a Firearm from Within a Motor Vehicle
Reckless Handling of a Firearm
Discharge of a Firearm Within the City Limits

And after authorities spent yesterday and this morning looking for him across multiple jurisdictions and states, the search came to an end in Danville.

At approximately 9:52 a.m., Morton was arrested without incident following a traffic stop conducted by a Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Deputy and a Virginia State Police trooper.

In other words, the investigation went from “Who was shooting at that car?” to “One of Danville's own officers is facing a list of felony charges.”

Morton will also be placed on leave without pay pending further administrative action under Virginia's Law-Enforcement Officers Procedural Guarantee Act.

Virginia State Police say the criminal investigation remains active and ongoing, and no additional details are being released at this time.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 800-542-5959.

09/21/2026

Nelson Traffic Alert - A traffic crash involving two vehicles has been reported in Collinsville, prompting a response from emergency crews.
The collision resulted in injuries, with the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Department and Henry County Public Safety responding to the scene.
Emergency personnel are working the crash and assisting those involved.
Drivers traveling through the area should use caution and expect possible traffic delays while emergency crews remain on scene.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
Nelson Towing & Recovery
276-647-TOWU

09/21/2026

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help locating a man authorities say fled on foot following a high-speed vehicle pursuit through Rockingham County.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the pursuit occurred on September 20, 2026, involving Rockingham County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies and Eden Police Department officers.

Authorities say the vehicle reached speeds of more than 90 mph in posted 45 mph zones, creating what officials described as a danger to the public, the occupants of the vehicle and pursuing officers.

The pursuit eventually came to a dramatic stop when the vehicle lost control. The driver and passenger then allegedly jumped out and fled on foot.

Neither person was apprehended at the scene.

Investigators say the driver has been identified as 36-year-old Christopher Thomas Odell of Taylor Street in Eden.

Authorities are now asking anyone who knows Odell's whereabouts to contact law enforcement.

📞 HAVE INFORMATION?
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office: 336-634-323
Emergency: 911
Rockingham County Crime Stoppers: 336-349-9683
Text: Send ROCOTIPS to 738477
Online: P3Tips.com
App: Download the free P3 Tips app

Rockingham County Crime Stoppers says it now offers up to $5,000 in cash for information leading to an arrest.

🚔 90 MPH IN A 45?

A 45-mph speed limit apparently wasn't enough to slow this ride down — and now authorities are asking residents to help bring the alleged driver back to where the speed limit actually matters.

Do not approach Odell if you see him. Contact law enforcement instead.

09/21/2026

call 276 656 2255

09/21/2026

09/21/2026

An off-duty Danville Police officer is facing multiple felony charges after Virginia State Police say he was identified as the suspect in a shooting that sent multiple rounds into a moving vehicle on South Main Street.

According to the Danville Police Department, officers received a report on the morning of September 20 that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire while traveling southbound on South Main Street, just before the Route 29 Expressway.

Investigators determined a sedan carrying a male and female victim was traveling down South Main Street when a silver SUV allegedly sped up from behind.

As the SUV approached the sedan, multiple rounds were fired into the vehicle, according to investigators.

The sedan was damaged, but neither victim was struck by the gunfire.

Police say the suspect and one of the victims are known to each other.

Things took an even more serious turn when evidence pointed toward an off-duty Danville Police Department officer as a suspect.

Rather than have the department investigate one of its own, Danville Police Chief Chris Wiles requested that the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation take over the case.

That investigation resulted in the arrest of Jayquan Morton, 22, who has been a Danville police officer for approximately two years.

Morton faces the following charges:

2 counts of Attempted Malicious Wounding
Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle
Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
Discharging a Firearm from Within a Motor Vehicle
Reckless Handling of a Firearm
Discharging a Firearm Within City Limits

After a multi-jurisdictional and multi-state effort to locate Morton, authorities say he was arrested at approximately 9:52 a.m. following a traffic stop in Danville.

A Pittsylvania County Sheriff's deputy and Virginia State Police trooper conducted the traffic stop, and Morton was taken into custody without incident.

And while the criminal investigation continues, Morton won't be wearing the badge while it plays out.

Danville Police said Morton will be placed on leave without pay pending further administrative action.

The case remains an active investigation by Virginia State Police, and officials say no additional details will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 800-542-5959.

One thing is for sure: when the person accused of pulling the trigger is wearing a police badge when he's off duty, this is one investigation where nobody wants to hear “just another day at the office.”

09/21/2026

A Stuart sawmill is temporarily out of operation after a September 7 fire caused significant damage inside the facility.

According to the Henry County Enterprise, Wilderness Stuart Inc. was forced to halt lumber production after the fire damaged portions of the building, including electrical equipment and other machinery.

Ronnie Bolt, owner of Wilderness Stuart, said the fire caused extensive damage and will require a major repair effort.

“The fire got a good portion of the building and electrical motors and wire and stuff like that, and I’m going to have to replace about half of my roof. So we’re going to be down for a few days,” Bolt said.

Bolt estimates the sawmill could be back to normal operations by early October, as crews work to repair the building and get equipment running again.

Rather than simply shutting the doors and waiting for repairs to finish, Bolt said contractors and employees are already working on the recovery.

“What I’m hoping for is we’ll get the equipment back up and running and contractors can work on the building around us while we’re working,” he said.

Bolt said he has brought in electrical and building contractors to begin repairs and plans to have his own employees handle cleanup and maintenance while the work continues.

The goal is to get the mill operating again as quickly as possible while repairs continue around it.

For now, the sawmill is down — but Bolt says the plan is to get the machinery fired back up long before the leaves finish falling. 🌲🔥

09/21/2026

276-656-2255

09/21/2026

Patrick County apparently has figured out something important: people like coming to the mountains — and they’re bringing their money with them.

Visitor spending in Patrick County topped $33 million in 2025, marking a 10.4% increase over the previous year, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Visitors spent $33,084,051 in the county last year, helping support 143 jobs and generating $1,863,171 in local tax revenue.

James Houchins, Patrick County’s director of economic development and tourism, said the increase reflects the county’s combination of lodging options and outdoor attractions.

“We are excited to see the increase in visitation and spending in Patrick County and the Commonwealth as a whole,” Houchins said.

Houchins pointed to Primland, The Oaks RV Resort and Airbnb properties throughout the county as helping visitors stay longer — and, naturally, spend more money.

“Our outdoor amenities and the natural beauty that we have here in the Blue Ridge Mountains make us a destination worth seeing and being a part of,” Houchins said.

And Patrick County isn't the only Virginia destination cashing in on tourism.

Statewide, Virginia tourism generated a record $36.2 billion in visitor spending in 2025, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 3.1%, from 2024.