Search for gunman who killed 4 in West Virginia

Image
AP Morgantown (US)
Last Updated : Dec 02 2014 | 8:25 AM IST
A manhunt was underway for a gunman suspected in three separate shootings that left four people dead in north-central West Virginia, including a woman who had filed a domestic violence complaint against the man sought by police.
Two of the shootings happened in the Westover area and the other was in the Cheat Lake area in Monongalia County, said state police spokesman Lt Michael Baylous, yesterday.
He identified the two victims from the Cheat Lake shooting as Sharon Kay Berkshire, 39, of Westover, and Michael David Frum, 28, of Maidsville. Baylous had no details on the Westover shootings, saying other law enforcement agencies were handling them. The Monongalia County sheriff's office released no information by yesterday evening.
Monongalia County emergency dispatch director Mike Wolfe said police are seeking Jody Lee Hunt, 39, of Westover. Police also are searching for a 2011 Ford F-150 extended cab truck. "We ask that everyone stay vigilant and use their discretion about whether they should leave their homes," Wolfe said.
According to Monongalia County Circuit Court records, Berkshire filed a domestic violence case against Hunt last month. Court records also indicated there were no protective orders currently in place for Berkshire.
Further details weren't immediately available. A call to Hunt's home went unanswered.
Arlene Barnett of Westover said she was drinking coffee at her home when she heard four gunshots shortly after 10 am at a nearby trailer where one of the victims lived.
"I didn't pay any attention to it because I thought, oh heck, it's deer season," Barnett said. "I thought they were deer hunting. I just went about my business and didn't connect anything. Then I heard the sirens."
Frum's aunt, Ellen Shafer, of the Cheat Lake area, said her nephew worked on detailing cars in Westover and did some construction work and other odd jobs.
"We were just saddened, and we're living with the realization of his death and coping the best we can," Shafer said.
Local schools were placed on lockdown, but West Virginia University in nearby Morgantown said there was no immediate threat to the campus. Classes resumed yesterday following the Thanksgiving break.
State documents indicate Hunt owned J&J Towing and Repair LLC of Westover. A call to the business went unanswered yesterday afternoon.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 02 2014 | 8:25 AM IST

Next Story