NITRO, W.Va. — Police have made an arrest in a Kanawha County shooting death.
Nitro police and Kanawha County sheriff’s said Eric Richmond shot and killed Nitro Marketplace Walmart worker Misty Williams, 40, of Dunbar, in the parking lot of the store at shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.
Investigators said Williams had gone on break but did not return. Coworkers found her slumped over inside her car. Investigators said she died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
“I believe they get a 20-minute break and she didn’t return, it had been over an hour,” Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Burns said.
Richmond, 54, of Charleston, who shares children with Williams, was identified as a person of interest shortly after the shooting. He was charged with first degree murder after being interviewed by detectives.
Burns said the investigation moved quickly.
“He was brought in for questioning. We had enough evidence from the scene, from reviewing surveillance footage and other interviews, we were able to determine who it was pretty quick,” Burns said.
According to a criminal complaint, video surveillance shows Richmond inside the Walmart before the shooting and then coming outside during Williams’ break. The car went forward at one point and slammed into a parked vehicle. The criminal complaint said Richmond is shown getting in and out of both sides of the car several times. He then fled the scene.
A 9mm handgun was found inside Richmond’s residence when it was searched by police.
Investigators describe Williams and Richmond as having an on again/off again relationship.
“It’s still an active investigation,” Burns said.
Richmond is previously known to police, according to Burns.
Richmond is being held without bail in the South Central Regional Jail.