Salem Police Officers responded to an early morning emergency call related to a report of “shots fired” in the eastern quadrant of the city today. At approximately 4:44 a.m., officers arrived at a residence in the 100 block of Wortham Street and quickly encountered a male who was in possession of a handgun. The individual, who was identified as Lazarus Powell, 22, of Salem, refused to leave the residence and retreated inside.
Members of Salem’s Emergency Response Team then responded, and negotiators began communicating with Powell. After several prolonged attempts encouraging him to exit the house peacefully, Powell surrendered without further incident, and he was taken into custody.
Powell was arrested and charged with Reckless Handling of a Firearm and Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits. He was transported to the Roanoke County-Salem Jail where he remains. There were no injuries because of this incident, and the investigation is still active.