LINCOLN COUNTY, W.Va. — State police were investigating what provoked the shootings of two Branchland residents early Monday morning.
Troopers said Katie Toler, 29, died after being shot in a car on Coal River Road. Chad Mays, 36, was wounded and remained hospitalized at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital on Monday.
A suspect, identified as Andrew Staggs of Alum Creek, was charged with murder and malicious wounding for allegedly shooting the pair around 2 a.m. Monday.
“It would be too early to try to assume anything,” said Cpt. Dave Nelson of the investigation. “Let us get the evidence. Let us get the facts so we can try to come to a clear conclusion of what happened.”
The victims were found shot when Kanawha County sheriff’s deputies stopped their car. Mays, reportedly covered in blood, was driving at that point.
Said Nelson: “Ms. Toler had driven a short distance and that’s when Chad Mays had attempted to get some help from a house. Naturally, the residents there didn’t understand what exactly had just happened.That’s when Mr. Mays then put himself in the driver’s seat.”
Staggs was awaiting arraignment on Monday morning.