Man takes life after standoff with state police

PENNSBORO, W.Va. — A Ritchie County man took his own life in his home early Thursday morning following a several hour long standoff with state police.

Troopers were originally called to the residence of Stephen and Tracy Wilson on Buck Run Road near Pennsboro Wednesday evening for a domestic disturbance. It’s alleged Stephen Wilson, 45, had gotten into a fight with his wife and a man identified as Aaron Cottrill. Cottrill was shot in the hand.

Troopers said the two victims were able to escape the house when they arrived on the scene but Stephen Wilson refused to come out. A standoff ensued that stretched for about nine hours. There were ongoing negotiations but Wilson would not leave the residence.

According to a news release from state police, “As negotiations continued to deteriorate with the suspect the West Virginia State Police Special Response deployed a chemical agent in
attempt to force the suspect to exit the residence.”

A short time later troopers heard a single gunshot. They entered the house a few minutes later and found Stephen Wilson dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.





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