UPDATE: (9:19 P.M. Tuesday, Aug. 30) – Vestal Fredrick Harper was arraigned in Kanawha County Magistrate Court Tuesday evening.
Harper was charged with 1st degree murder and is being housed in the South Central Regional Jail with no bond.
He is set to appear in court on September 7th, 2022 at 3:15 p.m. If found guilty, Harper could face life in prison.
UPDATE: (7:20 P.M. Tuesday, Aug. 30) – The Charleston Police Department has identified a woman killed in a shooting this afternoon, Tuesday, Aug. 30, as well as the man charged with murder in her death.
When officers first arrived on scene, they found the suspect, identified as Vestal Fredrick Harper, 76, leaving in a vehicle. He was quickly stopped and detained by officers.
According to the CPD, while some of the responding officers detained the suspect, additional officers found the victim, identified as 72-year-old Nancy Belcher, had been shot multiple times. She died at the scene, officers say.
Harper was taken into custody and charged with 1st-degree murder.
UPDATE: (5:53 P.M. Tuesday, Aug. 30) – Neighbors in the Lower Donnally Road area of Kanawha City tell WOWK 13 News they heard gunshots in the area at the time of a fatal shooting this afternoon.
Witnesses tell 13 News many people were out and about at the time, on typical evening walks or cutting grass, when the shooting took place.
Those who knew the victim say they are shocked by the incident and that the victim was “a kind person.” The victim’s identity has not been released by authorities at this time.
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – One person has died after a shooting in Charleston.
The incident happened around 4:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30 in the 700 block of Lower Donnally Road in the Kanawha City area.
According to Kanawha County Dispatchers, one person has been detained in the investigation.
This is a developing story. WOWK 13 News will provide details as new information becomes available.
