Woman shot, boyfriend charged with murder

A young woman was killed and her boyfriend arrested following a shooting in Roanoke on Friday night.

According to Roanoke Police Chief Adam Melton, the incident happened at approximately 9:30 in the driveway of a residence at 543 Seymour Drive.

Witnesses there said Cecil Gunn, 48, of 485 Lucky St. and his girlfriend, Tammy Sue Smith, 35, also of 485 Lucky St., were arguing. The disagreement turned violent when Gunn allegedly fired two rounds from a handgun.

One of those struck Smith in the chest. Roanoke police officers attempted CPR until paramedics were able to get there. Emergency Medical Transport worked with Smith and took her to Randolph Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Gunn left the scene and returned to his residence, where he was taken into custody. He is charged with murder. He was later transferred to Randolph County Jail.

Roanoke officers subsequently obtained a search warrant and returned to Smith’s and Gunn’s home, where they recovered the gun.

The chief said that Smith had only recently moved to Roanoke from Illinois. Her parents came to Roanoke and were making arrangements to send her body back home with them.

Melton said Roanoke’s last previous homicide was in April of 2003.