NEWS RELEASE Thave completed my review of the Virginia State Police (VSP) investigation into the shooting of Travis Taureen Martin, who was fatally wounded by Sergeant M.K. Mulligan and Officer J.P. Coles of the Roanoke Police Department on June 8, 2024. As Commonwealth's Attomey for the City of Roanoke, my role is to review the facts as developed by the VSP investigation and determine whether there is probable cause to believe that any crime has been committed. In order to support a criminal charge, the facts must show either the presence of malice or unlawful intent on behalf of the persons involved. Having reviewed this investigation, | conclude that criminal charges are not appropriate under the facts. This decision only applies to the criminal aspect of this investigation and any aggrieved party is free to pursue any civil remedy they may have available. In order to facilitate the community’s understanding of what occurred on Saturday, June 8, 2024 and the basis for my de jon, I am providing this factual summary: On Saturday, June 8, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Sergeant Mulligan of the Roanoke Police Department saw a black Honda Accord driving westbound on Church Avenue directly behind the Roanoke Police Department. The vehicle caught his attention when it came to a sudden stop and a male occupant inside the vehicle began to yell and curse at him and other officers before speeding away towards 5 street. No further interaction was had between Police and the occupant of the vehicle at that time. At 8:44 am. that same morning, a call was placed to Roanoke City 911. The caller stated as follows: “Yeah I’m coming to kill every police officer, Judge Clemens, and everybody down there in Roanoke City. I'll be right there real soon, I’m coming to kill all you moth**fu***rs, You know who it is, AND I'M COMING TO KILL YO! The same caller called back at 8:47 a.m. and stated: “Yeah bitch I’m coming to kill you too!”Sergeant Mulligan began an investigation and was able to determine that the number associated with both 911 calls came back to Travis Taurean Martin, He located a photograph associated with Martin and confirmed that he was the same individual driving the black Honda Accord on Church Avenue that morning. As a result of this investigation, two warrants were obtained for Martin for threats over the public airways under Virginia Code §18.2-427. An interhal email was also sent within the Roanoke Police Department regarding Martin and the concern for officer safety as well as a BOLO to surrounding jurisdictions. ‘The license plate for the Honda Accord was then entered into the “Flock” license plate reader system. At 11:39 am on that same date, RPD Officers were dispatched to Golfside Avenue in Roanoke City in reference to damage to a marked Salem Police Vehicle. The vehicle had damage to the rear passenger taillight. Through the investigation into that incident, it was determined that Travis Taurean Martin was also responsible for that damage. A misdemeanor warrant for property damage was then obtained for Martin under Virginia Code §18.2-137. It was also discovered that the Roanoke County Police Department had issues with Martin the previous day, and a photograph of Martin standing outside a convenience store holding a hatchet or machete was shared with Roanoke Police. Attempts were made throughout the day to locate Martin to take him into custody on the three outstanding warrants. At 1:53 pm Martin’s car was captured by a license plate reader on Hershberger Road heading eastbound. This information was broadcast to all RPD units on duty at that time, Officer Coles then located Martin’s vehicle in the Valley View Mall area, Officer Coles followed the vehicle away from Valley View Mall, then northbound on I-581 where it took the westbound Hershberger Road exit. Sergeant behind his vehicle as well. Both Officers initiated their lights and sirens in an attempt to get Mulligan was in the area and he quickly located Officer Coles and fell i Martin’s vehicle to stop. Martin’s vehicle continued on Hershberger road past Ordway drive, and as it approached the intersection of Hershberger and Ferncliff Drive, Martin slammed on his brakes which caused the vehicle to come to a sudden stop. Officer Coles was unable tobring his vehicle to a stop in time and struck the rear of Martin’s vehicle causing the airbag to deploy. Sergeant Mulligan pulled his vehicle just past Officer Coles’ vehicle and just to the right of Martin’s vehicle. Once Officer Coles’ vehicle struck the rear of Martin’s vehicle, Martin immediately jumped out of his car armed with a hatchet and rushed towards Officer Cole’s vehicle where he struck the driver’s side window of the car with the hatchet where Offficer Coles was seated. Officer Mulligan was out of his vehicle by this point, and he began to fire in Martin’s direction. Martin then charged at Officer Mulligan with the hatchet and Officer Mulligan fired additional rounds at Martin, striking him in his upper body. Officer Coles was out of his car at this point and also began to fire at Martin. Martin collapsed on top of the hood of Officer Coles’ car where it was in contact with his Honda Accord. Martin continued to grasp the hatchet in his right hand. The entire incident from the point where Martin exited his vehicle with the hatchet to the point where he collapsed on the hood of Officer Cole’s car lasts nine seconds. Officers removed the hatchet from Martin’s right hand and began to administer emergency aid. An off duty Roanoke City EMS worker was nearby and begins to administer emergency aid as well. These lifesaving measures were ultimately unsuecessful, however, as Martin did not survive his injuries. An autopsy would later reveal that Martin died from gunshot wounds to the head, torso, right arm and left hand. A sample of Martin’s blood tested positive for levels of Delta-9-THC, a substance that can cause an altered perception of time and events. I have reviewed the written police reports, 911 calls, officer body-cams, in car cameras, witness statements, forensic reports and visited the scene where the shooting occurred, I have met and reviewed the case with lead investigator Special Agent M. Shane Clifton (VSP) and John MeNeil (Chief Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney). Based upon the facts available to me, I am of the opinion that Mr. Martin’s actions placed Sergeant Mulligan and Officer Coles in a position where they reasonably believed that they were facing an immediate, imminent possibility of death or serious bodilyinjury. Whatever his motivation, Mr. Martin appeared to have some sort of vendetta against law enforcement on June 8, 2024, He verbally cursed at law enforcement while driving behind the Police Department and made serious threats on calls to 911. He damaged a police vehicle. When confronted by law enforcement, he immediately attacked Officer Coles with a deadly weapon and then did the same to Sergeant Mulligan. ‘Their actions in resorting to deadly force at that time were justified. ‘Therefore, I am of the opinion that, under the law of Virginia, and the facts in this matter, both officers were justified in discharging their weapons. Criminal charges against the officers involved are not appropriate under these circumstances, and none will be pursued. Donald S. Caldwell Commonwealth's Attorney Roanoke City