| An attempted murder charge against Charles Richard "Bucky" Bell, 39, of Annamoriah, has been dropped by Ritchie County prosecuting attorney Steve Jones.
State Police had charged Bell with the attempted murder of William Kent Vandal, Jr., 20, following a shooting in a remote area of Ritchie County on April 29.
The Ritchie County Magistrate's Court said no other charges have been filed against Bell.
The Ritchie County Prosecuting Attorney was unavailable for comment regarding his decision to drop the case.
Sgt. T. D. Corbitt had said Bell shot Vandal after he went to a vehicle and retrieved a .44 Magnum, seriously injuring him.
Vandal was hospitalized in Charleston with a bullet lodged in his chest area, but was released after a month of treatment and is recuperating at home.
Sgt. Corbitt said he obtained statements from three witnesses who said Bell had been involved in a physical altercation with Vandal.
The incident happened in Ritchie County off Munday Road (Wirt County) at what witnesses said was a weekend party.
Calhoun Trooper 1st Class Jeff Hunt was injured responding to the incident. Emergency personnel said he miraculously escaped serious injury, but was admitted to Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center.
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