FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont police believe a suspected drug deal ended in a fatal shooting near Third Street and Fairmont Avenue.
A 28-year-old man from Philadelphia was found with gunshot wounds in the First Exchange Bank parking lot.
Police and rescue crews were called to the scene Tuesday, March 14 at approximately 8:52 p.m. According to police attempts to
resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful.
The victim’s name was being withheld pending notification of his family.
Investigators were actively seeking a specific person of interest who was not believed to be in Marion County at the time of a Wednesday morning press release.
Leads are still being pursued. Officers requested any person who has information regarding the shooting to call 304-366-4200, 304-366-2217, or 911.
A reported shooting on Oliver Avenue in Fairmont Tuesday morning at approximately 6 a.m. is not related to the Tuesday night shooting near Third Street and Fairmont Avenue.
According to Fairmont police, a man’s report to investigators that he was the victim of a shooting could not be substantiated and physical evidence was allegedly inconsistent with the man’s story.
In a press release, Fairmont Police Chief Steve Shine wrote, “His injuries are indicative of a close proximity gunshot wound with a muzzle discharge near his body (such as the negligent self-discharge of a firearm while carrying it in his pocket).”
The 24-year-old, a convicted felon, is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm.
“We do not believe any of the general population to be in danger,” according to Shine.