SALEM, W.Va. – Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies were involved in a shootout early Saturday morning in Salem, leaving the suspect injured and facing a number of charges.
None of the officers were injured in the incident that began as a welfare check at a home on Lake Floyd Circle in Salem. Officers arrived around 1:10 am and a woman advised that a man was inside the home, armed with a gun and was threatening to shoot. As deputies escorted the woman away from the house, the suspect opened the door aim loaded rifle, equipped with a laser sight, at the deputies.
The suspect, later identified as Carlos Mario Carpenter, 32, then exited the residence and opened fire on the deputies. One of the deputies returned fire, hitting Carpenter. Deputies immediately administered first-aid and Carpenter was transported to United Hospital Center and later transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, where he is expected to make a full recovery.
Carpenter is charged with attempted murder of law enforcement officer, two counts of wanton endangerment, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and driving with a revoked license for DUI.
The investigation is ongoing.