Listen Now: Morning News

House gutted by flames; shooting suspect inside

EAST BANK, W.Va. — A house was destroyed by flames in the eastern Kanawha County town of East Bank Monday afternoon claiming a man’s life as SWAT team members were attempting to serve a warrant in connection a shooting earlier in the day.

The blaze at the one-story house on 1st Avenue gutted the structure. A man’s body was discovered a short time later believed to be that of resident Ryan Hall.

The incident began Monday morning when Hall allegedly shot at his wife while she was in a vehicle outside the home. According to authorities, the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute Sunday night. Hall’s wife drove the vehicle to a nearby Dollar General Store before calling for help. She was not seriously injured.

Deputies believed Hall was in the 1st Avenue house and made contact with him. They used an armored vehicle in attempt to serve a search warrant and an arrest warrant. Negotiations continued but Hall would not come out of the house, Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford said.

“They were negotiating with him trying to get him out of the house when suddenly there was just an explosion inside the house that blew all of the windows out and a fire erupted inside the building.” Rutherford said, adding what sounded like three gunshots were heard before the explosion.

Because of the shooting earlier in the day, Rutherford said the department was taking no chances in its response.

“That’s why we had the SWAT team up here and even brought the bomb squad up here when the explosion happened. We weren’t sure if there were additional explosives inside the house,” Rutherford said.

“We heard a pop, pop like gunfire and then the next thing I know I saw smoke coming out of the back of the house,” East Bank Police Department St. John Hess said.

According to Hess, police had been called to the same residence “three or four times” over the years for domestic disputes. Hess said Hall’s wife told him Hall had threatened violence on police officers.

“She said he would take out any cop that would come on the property or anything like that. That’s the reason I asked for assistance from the sheriff’s department,” Hess said.

The official identification of the body will be made by the state Medical Examiner’s Office. Investigators with the state Fire Marshal’s Office arrived on the scene Monday evening to begin an investigation into the cause of the blaze. The sheriff’s department and East Bank police will also continue be part of the investigation, Rutherford said.

East Bank Middle School and Pratt Elementary School were temporarily placed on lockdown Monday morning after the shooting was reported.





More News

News
MetroNews This Morning 3-29-24
Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 - 6:24 am
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm