Charleston police arrest man in convenience store shooting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston police detectives believe a shooting at the 7-Eleven on West Washington Street Sunday night may be an ongoing feud and tied to another incident from a week ago.

Police say Gontorwon Toweh, 20, of Charleston was shot in the chest and thigh after a scuffle inside the store and in the store’s parking lot around 11:30 p.m.

The suspect, Timothy Rush, 24, of Charleston was arrested on Monday afternoon.

“The suspect was purchasing some items and as he opened the door to exit the store, the victim started punching him,” said Sergeant Tony Hazelett of the Charleston Police Department. “A female is seen on video surveillance running toward the door, runs in the door and brandishes a pistol.”

The fight moved into the parking lot where Hazelett said the video surveillance showed the woman giving the gun to Rush.

“The suspect started shooting multiple times at the victim, striking him in the chest and left thigh.” Hazelett said. “A total of 13 shots were fired. One car was hit several times and a diesel pump was struck and immediately shutoff by 7-Eleven management.”

Rush and the woman, who has been identified as Sara Moreno and charged with wanton endangerment, are then seen getting into a vehicle a fleeing the scene. Police were unsure of the make of the car since it was covered with snow.  Hazelett said it appeared to be a silver colored four door sedan possibly an Altima or Camry.

Toweh was hospitalized in critical condition. Hazelett said they’ve tried to speak with him on three occasions and he claimed to have no knowledge of what happened.

“There were some shots fired about a week ago in the 900 block of Grant Street,” he said. “We’re looking at a possible connection between that and the shooting last night.”

 





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