State Police Troopers are investigating a Bluefield shooting death that involved two mothers a few hours after a school bus argument between their daughters
Troopers say Elizabeth Slagle, 42, and Judith Kowaleski, 42, both of Bluefield, were in an argument Thursday night on Nichols Road in Brushfork when Kowaleski allegedly shot Slagle in the chest.
Sgt. Melissa Clemons says the incident began when Slagle and Kowaleski’s elementary school daughters got into a fight on the school bus.
“One kicked the other one and from that it escalated into the parents exchanging words over text messages and it went from there to arranging a meeting in front of the (Kowaleski) residence,” Sgt. Clemons said. “It escalated from there and Elizabeth Slagle was shot.”
Sgt. Clemons says Slagle was attempting to tase Kowaleski and her aunt.
Slagle suffered a single wound to the chest and was pronounced dead a short time later at a nearby hospital.
Kowaleski is charged with first-degree murder and being held without bail in the Southern Regional Jail.
Sgt. Clemons says family members tell police the elementary school girls were best friends.
“They just got into some kind of fight like some kids do and for some reason the parents stepped in and it escalated to the point where it was decided it was going to become physical,” Clemons said.
Troopers say there were several people around when the shooting took place. Kowaleski was taken into custody without incident.