|
The Kanawha Valley appears to have a sniper who is picking off victims at convenience
stores. There have been three convenience store murders this week, the last two Thursday
night.
Police are warning residents not to visit convenience stores alone in Kanawha County and
are stepping up patrols, saying a single shooter could be responsible for the shooting
deaths.
Victims include 31-year-old Jenny Paten and 26-year-old Okey Meadows, both of Campbell's
Creek, at two separate convenience stores.
Patton was pumping gas at the Speedway on Campbell's Creek Drive. Meadows was at an
outside cashier's box at the Go-Mart in Cedar Grove. They were shot about an hour
apart.
Gary Carrier was killed Monday night at the Bigley Avenue Go-Mart while talking on a pay
phone. Agencies are awaiting lab results to determine if the same weapon was used.
Kanawha County Chief Deputy Phil Morris says investigators say the assailant may be
driving an extended cab pick-up truck.
Sheriff Dave Tucker says he believes the person responsible was shooting a rifle, not a
handgun. He says one of the shots was about 70 yards away.
In another murder this week, police say 27-year-old Duane Harris and 19-year-old Danielle
Thrift were discovered on Charleston's west side, their bodies inside a Cadillac with its motor
running.
Sergeant Brent Webster says Charleston police have a possible description of a suspect.
Reports indicate Harris had been charged with 13 felonies and 27 misdemeanors since 1994,
including some drug-related charges. Harris and his twin brother were well-known to
authorities.
| 
