State Police: Man shot and killed by his son in Rock Cave domestic incident

BUCKHANNON — A man who allegedly tried to shoot his wife was shot and killed by his 15-year-old son in southern Upshur County Wednesday night.

A press release from the West Virginia State Police said Maxwell Laham was killed after a physical altercation with his wife ended in gunshots.

“On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Cpl. F. J. Turansky and other Buckhannon Detachment members responded to a residence on Guy Hardman Road in Rock Cave, W.Va., in reference to a domestic altercation with shots fired,” the release states. “Upon arriving on scene, the officers learned that Maxwell Laham was in a physical domestic with his wife and had shot a 12-gauge shotgun at her.”

The woman and her daughter escaped from the home, while the son got a shotgun of his own, according to the release.

“Mrs. Laham and a juvenile daughter were able to flee from the residence, leaving her 15-year-old son in the residence,” according to the release. “Their 15-year-old son obtained a 20-gauge shotgun and went upstairs in their residence. Maxwell Laham then went upstairs and pointed the firearm at his 15-year-old son, who in turn shot Mr. Laham one time in the chest, killing him. No other injuries were reported.”

The State Police said the incident had been turned over to the Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney. As of Thursday morning, no arrests had been logged in either the regional jail or magistrate court, according to online records.

“This information has been relayed to the Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney,” the release states. “The status of this investigation is active and ongoing.”

Two people were shot in a second unrelated incident in Upshur County shortly after this one. Read that story here.