MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Monongalia County Delegate was shot Saturday at his home in Morgantown. Tony Barill was hospitalized at Ruby Memorial early Saturday for a gunshot wound to the ankle. He underwent surgery. When contacted Sunday morning, Barill was no longer a patient at the hospital.
House Speaker Tim Miley was told by a family member that Barill was at home when he was accidentally struck by an errant bullet fired from another room by his son, Brad, during an apparent suicide.
Morgantown police would not confirm the information, but did issue a statement which indicated they are investigating an unattended death in the Woodburn area of Morgantown. Police say the death is not believed suspicious and are withholding the name of the victim pending notification of relatives.
Barill, 80, of Morgantown is a longtime Democrat party politician. He served as a Monongalia County Magistrate from 1980-1997. He successfully ran for Sheriff and served from 1997 to 2001. Barill was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010 and is currently in his second term.
“I have received an outpouring of calls from delegates expressing concern for Delegate Barill and his family,” Miley said. “In a time such as this, political matters are set aside, as we all concentrate on supporting our friend and colleague and wishing him a speedy recovery.”