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Suspect Apprehended Following Intensive Search, West Virginia State Trooper Fatally Shot

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BNN Correspondents
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Timothy Kennedy <br> Image Credit: AP

A suspect has been arrested after a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a state police officer in southern West Virginia.

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Fatal shooting: On June 2, 2023, a state police officer named **Sgt. Cory Maynard** was fatally shot in **Mingo County**, West Virginia. The suspect, **Timothy Kennedy**, 29, of Beech Creek, was arrested later that day after an extensive search. Governor Jim Justice expressed his condolences to Maynard’s family and praised the bravery of law enforcement. No other injuries were reported and further details on the shooting were not immediately made public.

The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, when Maynard and another trooper were conducting a routine traffic stop on Route 52 near the town of Williamson. According to a statement from the West Virginia State Police, Kennedy opened fire on the officers without warning, hitting Maynard multiple times. The other trooper returned fire and wounded Kennedy, who then fled the scene in his vehicle.

A massive manhunt ensued, involving local, state and federal agencies. Kennedy was located and apprehended around 4 p.m. near the Kentucky border. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries and is expected to face multiple charges, including murder of a law enforcement officer.

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Maynard, 42, was a veteran of the state police and had served for 18 years. He leaves behind a wife and two children. He was described by his colleagues as a dedicated and respected officer who always put others before himself.

Governor Justice issued a statement on Thursday evening, saying: “I am absolutely heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting that took the life of one of West Virginia’s bravest today. Sgt. Cory Maynard was a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our communities. Cathy and I are praying for his family, friends and fellow troopers during this incredibly difficult time.”

The governor also ordered that all state flags be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of Maynard’s funeral.

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Mingo County: A History of Violence

The shooting in Mingo County is the latest in a long history of violence that has plagued the region for over a century. Mingo County was dubbed “**Bloody Mingo**” during the early 20th century coal mine wars, when miners clashed with coal operators and their hired guns over labor rights and unionization.

One of the most notorious incidents was the **Matewan Massacre** of 1920, when 10 people were killed in a gunbattle between miners led by a local police chief and a group of private security guards who were hired to evict the miners for joining a union.  The massacre sparked a larger uprising known as the **Battle of Blair Mountain**, which involved thousands of armed miners marching through the coal towns of southern West Virginia to free their comrades who had been arrested and held under martial law in Mingo County.

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The battle lasted for five days and was only quelled by the intervention of federal troops and planes that bombed the miners’ positions. It was the largest insurrection in the United States since the Civil War and resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests.

The coal mine wars were part of a broader struggle for social justice and workers’ rights that shaped the history of West Virginia and the nation. The legacy of these conflicts can still be seen today in the culture and politics of the region.

(Also Read: Massive Cocaine Haul Seized on Cargo Ship off Western Australia, Three Men Charged.)

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A Community in Mourning

As Mingo County mourns the loss of one of its own, residents have expressed their shock and sadness over the shooting. Many have also shown their support for law enforcement and their gratitude for their service.

A candlelight vigil was held on Thursday night at the Williamson City Park, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to Maynard and his family. Speakers included local officials, clergy members and fellow officers who shared their memories and condolences.

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(Read Also: “Arrest Made in Radio Pakistan Equipment Theft Case During Violent Protests in Peshawar”.)

A makeshift memorial was also set up at the state police detachment where Maynard worked, with flowers, flags, balloons and messages left by well-wishers.

A funeral service for Maynard is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Williamson. He will be buried with full honors at the Mountain View Memory Gardens in Maher.

Maynard’s death marks the first line-of-duty fatality for the West Virginia State Police since 2012, when Trooper Eric Workman died from injuries sustained in a shootout with a suspect.

(Read Also: Allegations of Swindling Millions: Former Managers of Malawi Leaf Company Face High Profile Fraud Case)

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