
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 31, 1995                   TAG: 9501310166
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MAN DIES FROM GUNSHOT AFTER DOG DISPUTE

A 25-year-old Northwest Roanoke man was shot and killed when he tried to break up an argument over a neighbor's dog late Sunday, police said.

Kenneth Judd Laws Jr., of 321 Mulberry St. N.W., died from a .38-caliber gunshot wound to the chest, according to the medical examiner. At 10:40 p.m., police found Laws lying in the driveway of his neighbor's home at 312 Mulberry St. He was pronounced dead at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

According to police, a woman at the house, whom police did not identify, said she and her boyfriend had argued over their dog. Her boyfriend brought a large-caliber gun outside, saying he would kill the dog if the animal tried to bite him. Several of his friends approached him and tried to take the gun away. Laws was among that group.

The gun fell to the driveway and discharged, hitting Laws in the chest, the woman told police.

A woman who answered the door at the house Monday declined to comment.

Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell will review the case and determine if charges are to be filed.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB