State Police probe death after shooting by Parkersburg officers
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PARKERSBURG - The West Virginia State Police is investigating the death of a man who was shot by two Parkersburg Police officers Wednesday night after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.
That's in keeping with department procedure following the incident, which unfolded after officers responded around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday to the 1100 block of 11th Avenue.
According to a release from the Parkersburg Police Department, officers were there in response to a report of someone brandishing a firearm.
Upon arrival, they found "a male subject outside the residence who was in possession of a long gun," the release says. The individual did not comply with officers' verbal commands intended to maintain officer and public safety, it says.
"The subject then pointed the firearm toward officers," according to the release. "Fearing for their safety and the safety of others, two Parkersburg Police officers discharged their department-issued firearms, striking the subject."
Emergency medical services personnel were immediately dispatched to provide medical assistance, it said. The man with the weapon was pronounced dead at the scene.
The release did not identify the man who died, nor the officers involved. It says no further information will be released while the investigation remains ongoing and additional information "will be provided when it can be appropriately released and after all necessary parties have been spoken with."
The officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative duty while the department conducts an internal review, also per department policy.
A State Police spokesman on Thursday afternoon confirmed their involvement in the investigation but said there was no additional information to release at that time.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.