CEREDO, W.Va. — A man who was wanted for crimes in two states–including an Ohio murder–was killed early Sunday morning after an overnight hostage standoff at a Wayne County gas station.
West Virginia State Police spent much of Saturday evening along with Kenova Police looking for David Maynard, 54, or Ironton, Ohio. Maynard was wanted for a murder in Ohio and during his flight was also wanted for multiple offenses, including a carjacking and kidnapping in Kentucky.
Police in Wayne County had called off the search late Saturday night without finding Maynard. On his way home a West Virginia State Trooper stopped at the Speedway convenience store in Ceredo, W.Va. Behind the counter with the clerk, the Trooper immediately recognized Maynard. Maynard also saw him and pointed a pistol at the trooper before he got into the store.
Area law enforcement quickly responded including a Special Response Team from the State Police and a hostage negotiating team. Maynard had taken three people hostage inside the store, a clerk and two customers. Through negotiations, two of the hostages were released in the standoff which went on for several hours.
Maynard requested a blanket be left at the door for the third hostage. According to State Police, when Maynard exited the store, around 2 a.m. Sunday to grab the blanket, troopers engaged him and resulted in shots fired. Maynard was shot in the encounter. The third hostage was not injured and no law enforcement officers were hurt.
Maynard was transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital where he died around 3:06 a.m. Sunday of gunshot wounds suffered in the encounter. An investigation into the incident continues.