NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. — Authorities in Hancock County have released the timeline of a violent crime spree that occurred in less than an hour Wednesday evening in New Cumberland that left a woman dead and five other people, including the alleged shooter, injured.
According to Hancock County Sheriff Ralph Fletcher, Sandra Brown, 58, of 89 Judge Drive was shot and killed at her residence at just after 7:30 p.m. A second victim, Travis Choina, 31, also of New Cumberland, was also shot at the residence but survived.
Fifteen minutes later, at approximately 7:56 p.m., police received a call about a shooting at a residence on Clearview Street. A woman identified as Catherine Podolak, 53, reported being shot in the stomach. She told police her house was shot multiple times by Michael McClanahan, 45, of 89 Judge Drive, Brown’s boyfriend. McClanahan allegedly drove his truck through Podolak’s yard while firing rounds at the house. Two men, Ronald Perrine and James Lloyd, were inside and injured by flying debris.
Thirteen minutes later, at 8:09 p.m. McClanahan’s truck was spotted in Carriage Court trailer park where he was reportedly holding a gun and driving recklessly.
Two minutes later, at 8:11 p.m., a Hancock County deputy saw the truck on Veterans Boulevard. McClanahan refused to stop. He eventually wrecked the truck on Locust Hill Road after crashing into a residence. The deputy encountered McClanahan and shot him.
McClanahan was being treated at Allegheny Hospital in Pittsburgh Thursday.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal shooting on Judge Drive and the shooting on Clearview Street. State police troopers are investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Charges have yet to be filed. According to the news release, “This investigation is ongoing to determine the relationships between the individuals and to determine a possible motive.”
Sheriff Fletcher said McClanhan and Brown have a child together. He also said two guns, .25 semi-automatic pistol and a double barrel 12 gauge shotgun were recovered from McClanahan’s truck.
The chaotic situation caused a lockdown at Oak Glen High School where a preseason girl’s soccer game was taking place. There were no injuries at the school.