Teenager killed in second fatal shooting in Roanoke in 2024

Caitlyn Cline, public information officer for the city department, said May 23 that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation defines justifiable homicide as murder of a criminal by a peace officer in the exercise of his duties or the murder of a criminal, during the commission of a crime, by a private citizen.

“Because these killings were determined by law enforcement investigation to be justifiable, they are classified separately from murder and non-negligent manslaughter,” the FBI definition continues, according to the agency's website.

“Based on this definition, our investigation thus far, and consultation with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, this is why this case is considered justified,” Cline said in an email. “However, this is still an ongoing investigation and other charges and legal proceedings are pending, so I cannot provide additional comment.”

According to court documents, a Roanoke Circuit Court grand jury directly indicted Allen on Monday on two criminal charges related to the April 24 incident: robbery with a firearm and use of a firearm in the commission of a crime.

The first unjustified gun-related homicide in Roanoke in 2024 occurred on February 17 and took the life of 27-year-old Uhura U. Willis. Police reported no arrests in connection with his death.