MINK SHOALS, W.Va. — — A meeting to exchange goods sold online resulted in a shooting early Tuesday morning and one is dead.
The incident happened about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Park and Ride off the Mink Shoals exit of I-79 in Kanawha County just north of Charleston.
“One carload of people went to sell an item, another went to purchase the item,” said Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Brian Humphreys. “During the transaction, it turned into an altercation and ended in one man being shot.”
The shooting victim died at the scene while inside his car. The shooter called 911 and stayed on scene until authorities arrived. According to Humphreys the shooter has been interviewed along with several witnesses, but there are more steps to be taken before more information can be released.
Authorities have not indicated what the item might have been.
“It was not something illegal as some have speculated, it wasn’t drugs or anything like that,” said Humphreys.
But deputies are not publicly revealing what the item might have been as the investigation continues.
“Evidence is being reviewed and there are still a lot more steps that need to be taken in the investigation,” said Humphreys.
Humphreys admitted it seemed odd to meet in the middle of the night at a secluded spot along the interstate for an internet sales exchange, but he added it was not that unusual to some who may work odd hours and 12:30 a.m. may have been the most convenient time. But, he admitted anytime you’re involved in a transaction with an unknown individuals it’s wise to pick a spot which is well lit and probably has cameras. He also advised it’s probably best to do the exchange during the daylight hours when the chance is greater a lot of people may be around .