MORGANTOWN W.Va. — Investigators believe the gun used by Jody Hunt in his shooting spree that left four people dead before he killed himself last Monday was obtained online.
Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner told the Morgantown Dominion Post that the 9mm handgun was purchased from a licensed dealer four years ago. The buyer kept it for three years then sold it online to Hunt. Kisner says the gun transactions were traced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Hunt was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Kisner told the paper that the original owner will not face charges because he was unaware that Hunt was a felon. Hunt, 39, was once convicted and served prison time for holding an ex-girlfriend hostage at gunpoint in Winchester, Va.
Friday, state police investigators revealed more information about the quadruple murder. Using cell phone records and physical evidence, state police said Sharon Berkshire, 39, and Michael Frum, 28, were Hunt’s first two victims. Their bodies were found at the residence Berkshire was renting near Cheat Lake.
Police said Hunt, 39, then drove to Westover where he shot Doug Brady, 45, at Brady’s towing business. Finally, Hunt killed his cousin and business partner Jody Taylor, 43, near Mylan Park.
“There was evidence found at Hunt’s residence to support he was having issues with Ms. Berkshire and the other victims,” said state trooper Nick Demedici.
Police have been researching Hunt’s past, which is littered with violent incidents including a standoff with police in Winchester, Va., in 1999.
Demedici said it was obvious Berkshire feared Hunt.
“There are also witnesses we interviewed who spoke about their relationship and there were other instances where she was concerned about her safety,” the trooper said on Friday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”