MARLINTON, W.Va. — A man is hospitalized and a Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Deputy is on administrative leave after an officer involved shooting early Wednesday morning.
Pocahontas County Prosecutor Eugene Simmons indicated the shooting happened during an attempt by a deputy to pull over a four wheeler which had been reported stolen in the Marlinton area.
The four wheeler was being operated by James Woods, 26. According to the prosecutor Woods fled the deputy and traveled to teh parking lot of Marlinton Elementary School where he reportedly tried to run down the deputy. Investigators say the deputy pulled his sidearm and opened fire as Woods approached him. Several shots were fired and Woods was hit, but fled the area on the four wheeler. He wrecked a short distance away.
Woods was transported to a Roanoke, Virginia hospital where his condition is unknown.
Simmons said items stolen from a nearby store were found in the ATV. The West Virginia State Police is handling the investigation.