ELKVIEW, W.Va. “A juvenile was killed in connection with the deaths of four adults and two children in Kanawha County, near Elkview.
In a brief statement released shortly after 7 p.m., Sunday, Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford said a juvenile had been charged with the murders. He said no further information was provided because the accused was a juvenile.
Rutherford told reporters earlier Sunday that a fifth member of the family, a teenage boy, had been placed away from the crime scene and had been spoken to by MPs. Rutherford also reported that the crime he described as violent was not an accidental act.
Rutherford previously said a relative of 12- and 3-year-old men, wife and sons were found dead on Sunday morning at 10:40 a.m. at a house on Cemetery Hill Drive.
A family member tried to contact the family on Saturday but was unsuccessful, so they went to the house on Sunday. The relative opened the front door.
“When the MPs arrived, we immediately determined that they were all dead,” Rutherford said.
Apparently they died in the shooting, but Rutherford has not yet stated the exact cause of death.
The department’s crime vehicle, along with the Kanawha County Attorney’s Assistant, was at the scene.
The names of the victims are expected to be released sometime on Monday.
Neighbor Samra Mullins said she had not heard anything from a nearby home.
– A little nerve-wracking. You don’t think it’s going to be that close to home, ”Mullins said.
He said everyone in the community is a little ahead.
– It’s just more stressful. You know, we’re dealing with COVID. That’s just more bad news, Mullins said.
