All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Murder suspect who allegedly kidnapped baby killed in shootout with West Virginia State Police

File photo.

A man who was wanted for murder was killed by a West Virginia State Trooper after first shooting at police, according to a press release from the W.Va. State Police.

“On Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at approximately 9:30 a.m., law enforcement officials from Louisiana contacted members of the West Virginia State Police and informed them of a suspect who was wanted for murder and child abduction being in West Virginia,” the release states. “An Amber Alert had been issued for the abducted child, and the suspect had been entered into NCIC as wanted.

“Investigators immediately began tracking the suspect, who was located a short time later off Exit 20 of I-77 South in Mercer County. When Troopers approached the stolen vehicle, the suspect retrieved a firearm from the vehicle and fired the weapon. A Trooper returned fire.

“The suspect was pronounced dead on scene. The baby was located in the back seat of the stolen vehicle unharmed. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”

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