KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Three people are facing charges after gunshots rang out near an apartment complex and athletic complex on Sunday, May 19.
According to Kanawha County deputies, they arrived at the area of Smoot Avenue and King Street in Dunbar after a gunshot complaint.
Men accused of being involved in the incident were stopped by members of the Nitro Police Department near Martin Pointe and New Goff Mountain Road.
An AR-style rifle was found in the back of the vehicle and those inside the vehicle told officers a pistol was under the front seat of the car.
Antonio Jacobs and Zion Clark were inside the vehicle along with several other men, according to officers.
Clark, 23, of Dunbar, had an outstanding warrant through the Kanawha County Magistrate for burglary.
Clark was taken into custody and later taken to the South-Central Regional Jail.
Deputies charged Antonio Jacobs III, 18, of St. Albans, and Kaden Bowman, 24, of Dunbar with wanton endangerment.
Clark was also charged with wanton endangerment in connection with Sunday’s incident.
It is still unclear what started the incident. However, Kaden Bowman was interviewed near the apartment complex and admitted to shooting his pistol at unknown individuals near Smoot Avenue and King Street.
Bowman described the two individuals who shot at him as well as an AR-style rifle.
According to investigators, Bowman’s description matched Jacobs and Clark.
Bowman’s firearm was located and collected by law enforcement.
Deputies say Clark admitted to shooting a pistol multiple times in the direction of the other people.
Investigators say the apartments near where the incident occurred were occupied and a children’s athletic event was ongoing at the nearby Shawnee Sports Complex.
According to the criminal complaint, the sports complex is in the same direction Clark said shots were fired.
The frightening moments were caught on camera as youth athletes ran to the dugouts as several rounds were heard nearby.
The lead investigator has requested that anyone with audio or video evidence of the shooting incident contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, 304-357-0556.
Statement from the Kanawha County Commission regarding incident around Shawnee Sports Complex on Sunday, May 19, 2024:
“Yesterday afternoon, Sunday, May 19, 2024, a shooting incident occurred on Smoot Avenue in Institute near the Shawnee Sports Complex. The County Commission cannot comment on the pending criminal investigation. However, the safety of those at the Complex is a top priority of the Commission.
As with any incident, we will be holding a debrief and an After-Action Review with personnel, emergency management officials, law enforcement officials, and other expert matter officials regarding improvements that can be made. Upon review of the incident so far, 2 of the 26 gates at the facility were locked for security reasons. We will be reviewing this process and coming up with a solution to better protect participants, including reviewing whether a new gate system is necessary.”
“We deeply appreciate all those who acted quickly during this terrifying incident. We will thoroughly evaluate our emergency evacuation plans and make all necessary improvements,” stated Commissioner Ben Salango. “The health and well-being of our participants and employees is always our top priority.”
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