PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin told MetroNews Monday a parolee of the state prison system had apparently just met a man that led to circumstances that claimed his life.
Anthony Ray Armstrong, 42, originally from Kanawha County, was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning in a Parkersburg apartment. Chief Martin said the man who did it was acting in self-defense. The chief said the death brought to a close the tragic events that unfolded over just a few hours.
Chief Martin said Armstrong and his girlfriend met William Strohman late Saturday night. Strohman was talking to them about his ex-girlfriend and eventually asked for a ride to go see her. The chief said once the three arrived at the apartment on Hemlock Ave. Armstrong and Strohman became the aggressors. He said Armstrong struck both the ex-girlfriend and her friend who responded with a knife.
“They basically backed him into a corner to which he resorted to self-defense,” the chief said.
Parkersburg police don’t believe Armstrong’s parolee status had anything to do with the fight. Chief Martin said Armstong had just met Strohman and it was somewhat strange he would get so involved with his personal problems so quickly.
“It went south very fast and it’s unfortunate the way it ended,” the chief said.
Information from the investigation will likely be turned over to the Wood County prosecutor for review.