Note: This story has been edited to reflect that the shooting did not occur at the Rutters gas station.
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A man was shot and another charged with attempted murder after an incident early Tuesday morning in Berkeley County.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department tells The Panhandle News Network deputies were dispatched along with medics to a gun shot victim at a gas station off Hedgesville Road just after 3:00 Tuesday morning.
The criminal complaint obtained by the Panhandle News Network indicates that the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Elias Michael Jenkins of Martinsburg was the front seat passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by a woman along Harlan Springs Road on the way to the gas station. In the middle passenger row was the19-year-old male victim, whom the criminal complaint characterizes as a friend of Jenkins. The victim was reportedly ‘bickering’ with his girlfriend, who was in that row and seated behind the driver.
In his report, BCSD Lt. Boothby indicates Jenkins “did not like what was being said by the victim” and confronted him several times in the car. Jenkins, who had a firearm in his hand according to Lt. Boothby’s report, pointed it at the 19-year-old, racked it and shot the man in the head.
The driver stopped the vehicle and Jenkins reportedly got out and fled towards the woods.
The car came to a stop at Rutters, where they waited for medics.
The victim was transported to Berkeley Medical Center.
Deputies reportedly found Jenkins nearby. He has been charged with attempted murder and was last reportedly lodged in the Eastern Regional Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators, Deputy Giangola or Deputy Weidman at 304-267-7000 or submit an anonymous tip online at the sheriff’s department website’s Anonymous Tips Submission Form
BCSD said the victim’s family was notified but his name was not being released to the public.
