A man wanted for the alleged murder of two people in West Virginia died Friday, Dec. 1, of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot in a hotel room at the Comfort Inn, 260 Northview Drive, as local and federal law enforcement closed in outside.
Authorities are declining to identify the suspect at this time, pending notification of next of kin.
Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department received a tip from U.S. Marshal’s just before Midnight Friday that a suspect wanted in the killing of two people in Wood County West Virginia had fled the state in a stolen vehicle and reportedly was hiding out at the Comfort Inn in Bellefontaine.
Based upon the information provided, several members of the U.S. Marshal’s and their Task Force met with members of the Bellefontaine Police Special Response Team. Upon further investigation, and due to the fact the suspect was considered armed and dangerous the motel was secured and rooms surrounding the room of the suspect were evacuated.
After ensuring the safety of the public, local and federal law enforcement attempted to communicate with the suspect. However, they were not successful.
Eventually, authorities reported a single gunshot from within the suspect’s room. With no communication and no further observed activity, law enforcement faced a challenging situation.
Following an extended period of attempts to communicate, forcible entry was made into the room. The suspect was discovered inside deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities processed and secured all evidence at the scene to aid the ongoing investigation in West Virginia.
The Bellefontaine Fire Department and Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. In all, members of the Marshal’s Service, Officers, Deputies, Firefighters, and Medics were on the scene for several hours and no other injuries were reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
