CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County Magistrate Tammy Marple ruled Monday there was enough probable cause to charge a Lumberport woman with murder in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old David Cottrill.
The mother of Cottrill said she and four children were present when the shooting happened on Jan. 11. She said Melissa Anne McAtee, 34, had gotten a rifle from a cabinet and removed a bullet from the gun prior to the weapon going off.
The West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner’s office ruled the Cottrill’s death was the result of a single gunshot wound in the abdomen. Law enforcement said the shot was fired four to six away from Cottrill.
Authorities have yet to conduct fingerprint testing on the firearm or ammunition clip.