Roanoke, Virginia – Authorities have taken into custody J’mya T. Stimpson, a 22-year-old woman who was on the run after allegedly committing a murder at a school in February. According to the Roanoke Police Department, Stimpson is currently facing charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Initially, Stimpson was identified as a person of interest during the investigation. After being brought in for questioning, detectives became suspicious of her involvement in the murder. The investigators collaborated with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to present their case to the Roanoke City Grand Jury, which later indicted Stimpson.
In response to the murder, authorities had been called to William Fleming High School, where they discovered a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The victim’s identity has not been disclosed.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the school implemented a hold-and-secure protocol while law enforcement officers searched the area for potential suspects connected to the fatal incident.
During the hold-and-secure, Roanoke City Schools issued a message to families from Principal Tracey Anderson of William Fleming High School, explaining the situation and ensuring that all necessary precautions were being taken to maintain the safety and security of students and staff.
A study conducted by Stanford University revealed that over 100,000 American children attended schools where shootings occurred in 2018 and 2019. The research further indicated that those exposed to school shootings displayed a higher rate of antidepressant use in the years following such incidents of gun violence.
