By Stephen Smoot
Two significant incidents this month have resulted in responses and investigation by the Hardy County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police.
On the first Sunday of the new year, according to Hardy County Sheriff S. R. Dawson, an alleged armed robbery and attempted murder took place at a residence on Overlook Street.
A holder of a Pennsylvania drivers license named Shawn Davidson accosted the resident outside his residence. According to law enforcement, at about 8:42 a.m., Davidson “demanded the wallet and keys to his vehicle” and the victim without resistance tried to comply. As the victim tried to retreat into his home, Davidson opened fire.
Fortunately, the victim escaped inside, retrieved his own personal weapon, and drove off his alleged assailant by firing back at him.
Hardy County Sheriff’s Deputy T. L. McCausley both responded to the call and also tracked down the suspect. In the course of his attempted flight, the suspect allegedly disposed of his weapon. Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Leatherman and his K-9 unit “Brite” came in to assist and helped to retrieve the firearm used in the commission of the crime.
Mineral County Sheriff’s Department released a Facebook post thanking Leatherman “for your dedicated service” after the assistance.
On the day prior, Hardy County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Paradise City establishment near Mathias. County 911 dispatched deputies at about 12:30 a.m.
According to a release an “intoxicated” man “acting belligerent” left Paradise City on foot. At some point, he returned and an altercation took place. By the time deputies arrived, the individual in question was unresponsive and later died.
West Virginia State Police have taken the lead on this investigation. The same establishment was in the news last year. A James Madison University student was sentenced for an incident in which his driving at excessive speeds while intoxicated led to the death of three passengers in the car. The students had crossed into West Virginia to patronize Paradise City and the crash happened after they left.
