WVVA Bluefield- Police are searching for a man who they believe fatally shot three men during a home invasion; a fourth man was shot during the home invasion Saturday morning, believed to be connected to the spree.
3 home invaders killed at WV residence.
Three men dressed in black and wearing masks and gloves were killed by a resident when they broke into a home, WV authorities said Monday.
A fourth suspect, the alleged getaway driver, now faces first-degree murder counts in their deaths, authorities said.
The 42-year-old homeowner fired the fatal shots from a AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, officials said. One suspect had a knife, and another carried brass knuckles.
Preliminary investigation looks like it’s self-defense,” said Wagoner County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Mahoney, cautioning the investigation was continuing into the midday home invasion.
The deceased suspects were 26, 27 and 29 years old, the sheriff’s office said. A 21-year-old woman, who Mahoney said may have been a getaway driver, turned herself into Beckley police shortly after the shooting.
Elizabeth Rodriguez was arrested on three counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree burglary, Chief Deputy Les Young said. She is in the Wagoner County jail.
Rodriguez went to police in Beckley, a suburb, and told them she was involved, he said.
WV state law says that first-degree murder occurs if “any other person takes the life of a human being during … first degree burglary.” Another condition is if a person causes the death of another person with “malice aforethought.”