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Bobby Ray Shamblin, about 34, whose residence has been given as Arnoldsburg, has been charged with the murders of Ward Groves, 69, and his ex-wife Mary Hicks, 60, of Rt. 33-119 near Sand Ridge.
Police responded to a 911 call regarding the shooting about 1:20 am Thursday.
State Police arrested Shamblin at his mother's residence on Rosedale Road, Gilmer County about 1 a.m. Friday. He was taken to a Glenville magistrates office for processing, and then to Central Regional Jail.
Shamblin was arrested on two counts of first degree murder and one count of burglary, after information was provided by 16-year-old Ronnie Rush. Rush gave a statement he witnessed the murders.
The complaint says Rush was sleeping upstairs in the Groves house when "Shamblin entered the residence....brandished a knife and threatened Mr. Rush's life if he told about what he was going to do."
"Mr. Rush further stated Mr. Shamblin escorted him downstairs at knife point and shot both Ward Groves and Mary Hicks while they were sleeping in their beds. Mr. Rush further stated that Mr. Shamblin then forced him to carry items from the residence to an abandoned truck belonging to Mr. Rush which was parked in the driveway of
Mr. Groves," the complaint states.
"Mr. Rush stated that he and Mr. Shamblin then drove to an unknown location on Stumptown Road and threw the two shotguns into the river."
Ronnie Rush, according to information published in The Herald, then went to his father's house a short distance away and called 911 for assistance.
The complaint did not say where Shamblin went after the disposal of the guns.
Neighbors, who did not want to be identified, said Groves had come into a considerable sum of money after his brother died about a month ago. He reportedly bought more than one piece of property and at least one new vehicle.
State Police told regional media that neighbors called 911 after hearing gunshots, and neighbors went to the house and discovered the bodies.
Sgt. J. B. Cooper told the Parkersburg News that no one was living at the Groves residence, and no one was in custody. He said Thursday evening there were no suspects, hours before Shamblin was arrested.
The Herald reported Rush had been staying at the Groves house, and an unknown juvenile was being questioned.
The complaint continued to say "Mr. Rush provided this information after being advised of his Miranda Rights. All the above occurred in Calhoun County, West Virginia," concluded the complaint, which
was signed by Sgt. J. B. Cooper of the Grantsville Detachment.
Ronnie Rush was charged with one count of accessory before the fact and one count of accessory after the fact. He is being held in a juvenile facility.
Shamblin's arraignment was being held yesterday evening by closed circuit TV before a Calhoun magistrate. Bond had not been set for Shamblin on the murder charges.
Groves has lived in the Lockney-Stumptown for several years and was known as the "local trader."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Responding to questions regarding the publishing of a minors name. All laws and statues allow such publication, although courts are required to withhold the names of juveniles.
Decisions by editors to publish the names of minors in key cases have become more frequent, and in many situations commonplace.
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