RAND, W.Va. — A Kanawha County man is jailed on a charge of first degree murder after a verbal argument escalated into gunfire late Thursday night.
Keith Jones, 61, of Rand, is charged with killing Joe Williams, 34, at Jones’ home on Elaine Drive. Williams is reportedly the boyfriend of Jones’ niece.
In a statement to troopers following his arrest, Jones said Williams made a remark which angered him and prompted him to pull a .38 caliber pistol from his pocket and shoot him, according to the criminal complaint. Jones could not recall what remark was made which enraged him, troopers said.
Williams was struck by a single shot to the head from five feet away and was killed instantly.
Bail is set at $500,000. He’s lodged in the South Central Regional Jail.