CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Police Trooper L.T. Goldie says it was an unsettling day for a Nicholas County Sherriff’s Deputy Sunday when shots were openly fired at him. Fortunately, he said the deputy got away from the scene without injury.
Captain Goldie came on MetroNews Midday the following day on Monday to talk about the situation after the suspect, identified as Joshua Leaf Carver, 32, was taken into custody.
Goldie said the deputy was out at a residence at Ripatoe Road in the Clay County community of Lizemores Sunday afternoon for an unrelated case when Carver allegedly started firing at him.
“He was searching for someone related to the case he was working, and when he arrived at this location, the gentleman at that property allegedly shot at him,” Goldie said.
The residence was right at the Clay and Nicholas County line.
Goldie said the Nicholas County Deputy was working alone at the time the incident occurred, and wanted to prevent himself from getting too involved.
“Once he was fired upon, he got away from the scene as quickly as he could, he was not injured,” he said. “It happened pretty quick, he did not return fire.”
Carver has been charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder.
Goldie said the deputy called for backup, and all of the units that were on duty at the time responded, along with the West Virginia State Police Special Response Team.
“I’m also told that our version of what is commonly called the SWAT team, it’s our SRT team, they were also activated and were en-route to the scene, but the officers that responded there, they were able to locate Mr. Carver and had him in custody prior to their arrival,” Goldie said.
No members of law enforcement were injured during the incident.
Carver is being held in the Central Regional Jail without bond.