MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A family cookout Sunday in Berkeley County had a violent ending.
Deputies say the gathering was in one location where Richard Larsen, 56, of Martinsburg had become extremely intoxicated. Family members took his keys and a gun he had with him, which caused him to become irate. The incident led to a fight causing the gathering to break up and family members to leave.
According to the Berkeley County Sheriff, family members began getting a text message that Larsen was coming to another home and was going to “shoot and kill everyone.” The Sheriff’s Department was alerted and deputies along with State Police were dispatched to the location. On the way, they learned shots had been fired at an address on Singleton Way. Investigators say multiple shots were fired into the home with multiple people inside.
Enroute to the scene, authorities were able to locate Larsen’s vehicle and stop him. They took him into custody and collected evidence.
Investigators said there were seven people inside the home at the time of the shooting. Fortunately nobody was hit by the gunfire. Larsen is charged with attempted murder, six counts of wanton endangerment, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
He’s lodged in the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of $140,000 bond.