ROANOKE, Va. – The 39-year-old man arrested in connection with an aggravated assault on a teenage jogger on Monday was known to police and had a criminal record, according to court documents.
According to records, it was determined that the suspect, John Murphy Elmore Jr., was known to police through past calls.
Court records describe Elmore Jr. as a “heavy drug user who suffers from some mental health-related issues”.
Documents say that further investigation into Elmore Jr. showed that he was linked to a robbery report in Roanoke County in February, for which warrants were obtained for shoplifting and an assault warrant against a family member, which are both still active.
A search warrant was issued for Elmore Jr.’s residence Tuesday night, which led to the recovery of the clothes Elmore Jr. was wearing on the day of the assault including a blood-stained yellow raincoat.
Elmore Jr. was interviewed and admitted he had the type of clothing that was found during the execution of the search warrant but would not admit to an aspect of the assault. Records show a warrant for malicious wounding was requested.
Update:
A suspect is in custody Tuesday in connection to an alleged assault on a teenager who was out jogging Monday morning, according to RPD.
39-year-old John Murphy Elmore Jr. of Roanoke was arrested and charged with malicious wounding on Tuesday.
Early Tuesday evening, officers conducted a search warrant on the corner of Brandon Ave. Southwest in the 1900 block.
“The suspect was taken into custody; he will be charged at the magistrate’s office later tonight,” RPD said.
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The arrest comes after the teen was assaulted while running in his neighborhood, his mother Amy Light said to 10 News.
“He was running at about 10 a.m. on Monday at Brandon Avenue and was attacked from behind by a man with a sharp object who punched him in the face and slashed his face from his nose to his ear.”
The attack left the community shocked and outraged.
“It actually made me kind of angry.” Abi Snyder said. “I feel like when an individual or a group of individuals does something to make being outside uncomfortable for other people, that bothers me.”
The attack happened in broad daylight in a neighborhood where attacks like this are rare. But when they do happen, it unites everyone on a common goal.
“Grandin is a neighborhood where everybody is going to be safe, the kids are going to be safe out running, the families are going to be safe moving around, and we’re not going to tolerate this, this is not a reflection of the neighborhood in any way,” Nathan Webster, Proprietor Village Grill & Scratch Business Co said.
It has also brought much-needed mental relief to a family that needs it.
“The support has been out there with people reaching out for anything they can do to support. It’s traumatic, you know, it’s traumatic for everybody and they’re processing in their own way,” White said.
10 News will continue to update this story as we receive information.
The Roanoke Police Department is searching for the suspect who assaulted a teenage runner in Southwest.
On March 24, 2025, at approximately 10:04 a.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of Brandon Avenue SW for an assault. According to preliminary reports from police, two teenagers were running when a suspect approached from behind and punched one of the runners in the face. Authorities revealed that the injuries were caused by a sharp object.
The suspect was captured by security cameras, and images are available below.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Roanoke Police Department at (540) 344-8500.
