Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 28, 1994 TAG: 9401280242
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lt. Ron Carlisle of the Roanoke Police Department said the woman was later identified as Merissa Vanhorn, 22. Vanhorn, who lives in the apartment, was taken to a hospital Thursday night for treatment of injuries. A report on her condition was unavailable.
Carlisle said the man pistol-whipped the woman's head and face, told her repeatedly he was going to kill her and tried to set her hair on fire.
Jerry E. Stanley, 32, of the 1000 block of Penmar Avenue Southwest, was arrested and later charged with malicious wounding, burglary, being a felon in possession of a firearm and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, Carlisle said.
Stanley was under a court order to stay away from Vanhorn, Carlisle said.
Police went to the residence after a friend of Vanhorn's in the apartment called 911. Carlisle said officers heard "scuffling" inside the apartment when they arrived.
After police knocked on the door and announced their presence, Carlisle said, Vanhorn told her attacker, "It's a neighbor." Police, believing the answer to be a signal, knocked again and responded as if they were neighbors.
Hearing Vanhorn pleading not to be harmed, police entered the unlocked apartment to find the man holding a gun to the woman's head, Carlisle said. Three officers drew their weapons as the man aimed at them and retreated with the woman into another room.
After a short standoff, the man dropped his gun as officers moved toward him, Carlisle said.
Carlisle commended the three officers, whose names were not released.
"They did a heck of a job," he said. "I'm proud of 'em."
by CNB