CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man was arrested late Sunday night charged in connection with a shooting and beating on the city’s West Side that police believe came during a marijuana deal.
John Austin Miller, 22, has been charged by Charleston police with Malicious Wounding, Wanton Endangerment, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Concealed Firearm, Shooting within 500 feet of a school, and Possession with intent to Deliver. He was pulled over by police a short time after the shooting.
The men were shot in an alleyway near Florida Street at about 5:30 p.m..
According to police, one man was shot in the face while another man, who had been with Miller was pistol-whipped, They were both hospitalized. The beating victim was later released. Police found drugs in the alley.
Residents in the area report area 12 to 15 shots. One of the rounds went into an elderly woman’s house. She was not injured.
Police haven’t yet found the .380 pistol they believe used in the shooting. According to the criminal complaint, it’s believed Miller tossed the gun near Mary C. Show West Side Elementary School.
Miller was arraigned and is being held in the South Central Regional Jail on $220,000 bail.
The shooting marked the second in as many days on Charleston’s West Side. A man was shot and killed early Saturday morning outside a residence on Maryland Ave.
Ronald Seabright Jr., 32, was killed. Charleston police have an arrest warrant for Gerard Spencer, 35, of Charleston. He’s yet to be taken into custody.
Sources tell MetroNews the two shootings aren’t connected.