A man is dead and another is injured after an officer-involved shooting in Beckley last night at the 100 Block of Klaus Street.
One officer was hit by a car during the incident and suffered minor injuries.
According to the Beckley police department, two officers have been placed on administrative leave as the West Virginia State Police and Beckley Police Department Professional Standards Unit investigate.
Newswatch will keep you updated as this story progresses.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department has released new information about a double murder-suicide at 366 Legends Highway in the Mount Hope Area last night.
According to Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley, deputies responded to a call for a shooting with the suspect still on the scene and threatening to shoot themselves or police.
After gaining entry to the home, deputies found three people dead from gunshot wounds.
Authorities believe that Jesse Dech killed James Shrader and Henry Schrader after gaining access to their home. Dech then allegedly committed suicide.
After searching Dech’s home, deputies found materials for building a pressure bomb.
The shooting is still under investigation.
Oak Hill, WV (WOAY-TV): Persistent heavy rain has triggered flash flooding in Bluefield (Mercer County), McDowell and Tazewell County. Flash flooding is expected through at least 3 p.m. today.
Braden Petry’s latest forecast:
Braden’s Memorial Day Forecast – YouTube
Here are the details and timeline:
Washington, DC (A.P.)- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency to strengthen the federal response to the virus, which has infected over 6,600 Americans. There have been no reported deaths due to monkeypox in the U.S. However, according to The Associated Press, several countries that have not historically reported monkeypox cases, including Brazil and Spain, have confirmed deaths due to the virus.
Monkeypox symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The rash can be painful, causing lesions that look like pimples or blisters on several parts of the body.
To reduce the exposure risk, the CDC recommends that individuals practice proper hand washing and avoid contact with people with symptoms that coincide with the virus. For more information on the monkeypox virus, visit CDC.gov.
Charleston, West Virginia (WOAY)- Governor Jim Justice has expanded the State of Emergency to 8 additional counties due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
Counties added include:
Harrison
Marion
Marshall
Monongalia
Ohio
Taylor
Tucker
Wetzel
West Virginia (WOAY)- Senator Joe Manchin has reached an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on cutting energy and health care costs, tax reform, and reducing the federal debt. Manchin and Schumer report that the Senate will vote on the legislation next week.
There are specific details about the changes made to the deal that led to the negotiation. Manchin reported the bill is “more modest” than the $3.5 trillion that was initially proposed. Additionally, the bill would help the US lower its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 by allocating funds to climate policies.
Manchin and Schumer state the bill would pay for itself, raising $739 billion over the decade by raising the corporate minimum tax on large companies to 15%. In addition, the tax increase would strengthen the Internal Revenue Services tax enforcement and allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices.
If passed, the legislation would be a major success for the Biden administration and the greatest pro-climate legislation passed by Congress. However, President Biden will need the support of all 50 Democratic senators and Vice President Kamala Harris for the tie-breaking vote to pass through to the Senate and House of Representatives.
FOREST HILL, WV (WOAY) – An investigation is underway in Summers County after a four-year-old girl is murdered.
On Tuesday, around 8:30 a.m., members of the Hinton Detachment and Summers County Sheriff’s Office responded to Barger Springs Rd. in the Forest Hill area.
Officers found the young victim dead on scene. Investigators determined her parents were responsible.
Rusty and Rebekah Weikle have been charged with first degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, child neglect resulting in death and conspiracy.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
UPDATE (7/8 @ 9 p.m.) – The suspect has been identified as Matthew Scott Jones, 36, of Culpepper, VA. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
BRADLEY, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia State Police release details about Wednesday’s police shooting in Raleigh County.
Captain R.A. Maddy says on Wednesday at approximately 9:47 a.m., initial calls reported an armed suspect fleeing from a crash scene off Dry Hill Rd. They say the suspect then stole a blue truck and fled in an unknown direction.
A short time later, the suspect was located at Big Lots near the Raleigh Mall in the stolen truck. Police say the suspect refused to stop for officers, and a pursuit ensued leading into Fayette County and back into the Bradley area of Raleigh County.
The pursuit ended when the truck became disabled off Rt. 19 in Bradley. The suspect exited the vehicle and was engaged by law enforcement.
During a short standoff, the suspect continued to hold the handgun. Police say this resulted in gunfire from the officers, causing the suspect’s death.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – One person is dead and another person is injured after a shooting at a hotel in Beckley.
On Sunday, May 8 at around 3:45 p.m., Raleigh County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shooting at Country Inn and Suites on Harper Rd.
Two gunshot victims were located on the third floor. One died at the scene, the other was transported to a local hospital for gunshot wounds. The victim’s name is being withheld at this time to ensure proper notification of family members.
The West Virginia State Police, State Police Special Response Team, and the Beckley Police Department assisted with the situation.
If you have any information, contact the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (304) 255-9300 or Crimestoppers at (304) 255-STOP (7867).
RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – A suspect is on the run after a shooting in Raleigh County on Thursday.
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office deputies and WVSP troopers responded to the shooting at 117 Port Lane in the Maple Fork Rd. area.
A victim was brought to Raleigh General Hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Through the course of the investigation, one person was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect is still being sought by law enforcement,
If you have any information, call the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office at (304) 255-9300 of Crime Stoppers at (304) 255-STOP (7867).
BLUEFIELD, WV (WOAY) – The two suspects wanted in connection to a murder in Bluefield have been located and taken into custody.
According to Deputy U.S. Marshal Mark Waggamon, Nichole Brooks and Isis Wallace were taken into custody on Wednesday night around 9 p.m. in Dover, DE.
Brooks, 43, and Wallace, 22, are alleged to have fired multiple rounds into a car near the intersection of Rt. 460 and Cumberland Rd. in Bluefield last Wednesday.
A 13-year-old girl was discovered in the back seat with a gunshot wound to the head. She was transported to CAMC General in Charleston and later died from her injuries.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it’s intended to protect civilians.
In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine. He added that Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy Ukraine. Putin said the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime.”
Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”
He accused the U.S. and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a “demilitarization” of Ukraine. Putin said that all Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat.
There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Putin’s remarks, but U.S. officials have repeatedly pledged to place overwhelming sanctions on the Russian economy and Putin allies in retaliation for a further invasion of Ukraine.
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – A small fire breaks out at the Fayetteville Walmart.
Details are limited, but Fayette County dispatchers confirm there was a small fire. Multiple units are on scene trying to put out the flames.
Stick with us as we work to learn further details.
CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) – Today, upon the sudden onset of symptoms Gov. Jim Justice received a positive PCR test for COVID-19. Confirmatory testing was performed by the West Virginia State Lab with an additional positive result. An additional test is being administered tonight to confirm the initial PCR results.
The Governor, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, is experiencing moderate symptoms and is isolating at home.
Upon recommendation from his physicians, the Governor will be receiving a course of monoclonal antibody treatment tonight. He is being treated by several physicians, including Dr. Clay Marsh, MD, the State COVID-19 Czar.
Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with over the past few days is being notified. West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice tested negative this evening.
Gov. Justice is in communication with his Chief of Staff and office staff to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly.
The Governor’s State of the State address, scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, will be delivered by written message to the West Virginia Legislature to satisfy constitutional requirements.
The Governor will deliver an address to the West Virginia Legislature at a later date.
“While I was surprised that my test results came back positive, I’m thankful to the Lord above that I’ve been vaccinated, I’ve been boosted, and that I have an incredible support system, especially my loving family,” Gov. Justice said.
“That being said, I feel extremely unwell at this point, and I have no choice but to postpone my State of the State address to the Legislature. I woke up this morning with congestion and a cough. A little while later, I developed a headache and fever, so I decided to get tested right away. The rapid test that I took came back negative, but by the late afternoon, my symptoms were still getting much worse. My blood pressure and heart rate were extremely elevated, and I had a high fever. Finally, my PCR test results this evening confirmed I was positive. Because of all this, I began receiving my antibody treatment and I hope this will lessen these symptoms.
“For this to happen just one night before the State of the State – knowing I won’t be able to be there – saddens me. There are so many great things happening in West Virginia right now. Tomorrow, even though I won’t be there, we are going to showcase what we’ve accomplished with economic development in West Virginia. We are on a rocket ship ride and the world is finally waking up to it. But, because of this pandemic, we all must adjust and realize that our lives aren’t the same as they were a few short years ago.
“I ask everyone to continue praying for the 5,452 great West Virginians that we’ve lost. We need to keep pulling the rope together. We’re going to get through this and put an end to this terrible pandemic once and for all.
“So I apologize in every way for not being able to join you tomorrow night, and I especially apologize to all our invited guests who are having to change their plans. I’ll be back in front of you in-person before you know it. I thank everyone who has offered their thoughts and prayers and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone soon.”
Statement by Dr. Clay Marsh, MD, the State COVID-19 Czar and Vice President & Executive Dean for Health Sciences at West Virginia University:
“The Governor took the exact right course of action today. He got tested at the first sign of a COVID-19-related symptom, isolated himself, and, because he is over 65 years of age, he consulted with a doctor and was prescribed a monoclonal antibody treatment. I have full confidence that Governor Justice will recover quickly, and it’s because he chose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and his booster shot. Without the immunity afforded by those vaccines, his outcome could be much worse. I continue to strongly encourage all West Virginians to take the COVID-19 vaccine and get boosted when it’s time to do so. Everyone is susceptible to this infection, and with cases in the U.S. and in West Virginia at all-time highs, there has never been a more important time to get yourself and your family vaccinated.”
Additional information:
Tomorrow’s 10:00 a.m. economic development announcement will be announced by press release, and the event will still be held by other officials at the same time and place as listed in the media advisory.
NEW YORK, NY (ABC) – The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Pfizer boosters for 12- to 15-year-olds.
The moves comes as schools reopen after the holiday break.
