Police release name of man who died in Raleigh County officer-involved shooting

UPDATE: WVVA News has received a statement from W.Va. State Police Capt. R.A. Maddy revealing the name of the man killed in Wednesday’s officer-involved shooting:

“The West Virginia State Police investigation continues into the officer involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 in Bradley, West Virginia. The suspect has been positively identified as Matthew Scott Jones, 36 of Culpepper, Virginia. At this time no further information will be released. The investigation remains active and ongoing.”

RALEIGH COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA) - State Police said the armed man shot by police on a busy highway in Bradley late Wednesday morning died from his injuries.

There were initial calls of an armed suspect fleeing a crash scene off Dry Hill Road in Raleigh County a little before 10 a.m., according to the agency. The suspect then reportedly stole a truck.

A short time later, the suspect was located at Big Lots in Beckley in the stolen truck, state police said. The suspect is said to have refused to stop for officers and a pursuit followed, leading into Fayette County and back into Raleigh County.

The truck then became ‘disabled’ off Route 19 in Bradley, police said.

Witness video showed members of law enforcement closing in on the unidentified man on Robert C. Byrd Drive as he waved what appeared to be a firearm around before the authorities opened fire on him, shooting him numerous times.

“During a short standoff, the suspect continued to brandish a handgun, resulting in gunfire from law enforcement, causing the suspects death,” said Capt. R. A. Maddy with West Virginia State Police.

Raleigh County Sheriff Scott Van Meter said the shooting was being investigated by his agency and West Virginia State Police.

It remains unclear whether or not the officers involved will be put on leave.

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