Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Restaurant owner murdered in Jackson County

Murder victim Bruce Deal, shot dead in the doorway of his home in Evans, W.Va. Thursday evening

EVANS, W.Va. — Residents in the Jackson County community of Evans are in shock at the news of the death of Bruce Deal.  Deal, the owner of the Left Fork Restaurant next door to his home, was shot dead in his doorway Wednesday evening.

“There’s no clear motivation for why Mr. Deal was killed,” said Jackson County Sheriff Tony Boggs. “However, it’s quite apparent he died of a single gunshot wound to the head without much provocation, or any.”

Authorities responded to Deal’s home in Evans around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday when his body was discovered.  They quickly developed a suspect and arrested that suspect early Friday morning at a home in Charleston.  Darrel “Pee Wee” Williams Jr. was picked up and charged with first degree murder.

“He’s blaming a methamphetamine high as to why he did it,” said the sheriff.

Williams was arraigned and placed in the South Central Regional Jail in Kanawha County.  Investigators believe the weapon used, a .380 caliber handgun, was stolen from Williams’ father earlier in the day.    Deal is Williams’ former brother-in-law.

Darrel “Pee Wee” Williams

The case has caused a shock wave in the normally quiet community.  Deal was well known and well respected.  Even Sheriff Boggs considered him a friend.

“He’s been in the restaurant business for years. He was running that restaurant successfully right next to where he lived,” said the Sheriff. “Everybody in the community knew who he was and as far as we know he was a very well respected citizen here.”





More News

News
West Virginia Parkways Authority prepares for Easter travelers on the Turnpike
More than 500,000 transactions are projected at the West Virginia Turnpike through Monday.
March 28, 2024 - 11:30 am
News
Governor vetoes vaccination exemption bill, and now that debate is primed to get even bigger
House Bill 5105 would have removed vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would have allowed private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
March 28, 2024 - 11:14 am
News
Lottery reports $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in Charleston
Four numbers and Power Ball matched.
March 28, 2024 - 10:24 am
News
MetroNews This Morning 3-28-24
Summary of West Virginia news/sports/weather for Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024 - 6:25 am