BECKLEY, W.Va. — Beckley police have charged a man for the Sunday night shooting death of Beckley Woodrow Wilson High School basketball player Dwayne Richardson.
Authorities announced Wednesday afternoon that Jeriamyah Jacob Fortner, 20, of Beckley, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and four counts of wanton endangerment.
The incident happened around 9:20 p.m. Sunday at a residence located at 509 Terrill St. According to a police news release, Fortner inadvertently shot Richardson while recklessly handling an AR-15 rifle.
“He was intentionally pointing the weapon at this group and intentionally pulled the trigger,” Chief of Detectives Lt. David Allard said. “However. he had thought the weapon was unloaded.”
A private vehicle was taking Richardson to the hospital when those inside waved down police officers and an EMS crew. Richardson, 18, died later at Charleston Area Medical Center.
Detectives initially received conflicting statements about what happened. They searched the residence and recovered physical evidence. Detectives interviewed Fortner on Tuesday and obtained warrants for his arrest Wednesday.
Fortner turned himself in on Wednesday. He was taken to the Southern Regional Jail pending arraignment.
According to Allard, Fortner was the person who called 911 and was in the vehicle at the time.
A memorial service was set to be held at Woodrow Wilson High School Wednesday evening. The school’s basketball team is scheduled to play in the state boy’s basketball tournament Thursday against Morgantown.
Members of the Charleston Catholic team wore t-shirts Wednesday honoring Richardson and former Capital High School student K.J. Taylor, who died last month in a Charleston shooting.