ASHTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In the early morning hours of Sunday, January 7th, Deputies with the Mason County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting call in the Ashton area where they found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police say life-saving measures were made but were unsuccessful. The male victim has now been identified as Jerrard Casey who was found in the back of an SUV.
The name of the shooting suspect has also been released. According to police, 28-year-old James Hatfield of Gallipolis Ferry was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Hatfield was arrested at the scene of the shooting and witnesses stated that Hatfield had previously threatened to kill Casey via text messages. Police have not yet released a motive behind Hatfield’s actions.
Hatfield is currently being held at Western Regional Jail.
