LINCOLN COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man was shot with what deputies say was a drive-by style shooting in a West Virginia county.
On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Corporal C.A. Lewis and Trooper R.S. Clagg were dispatched to respond to a shooting incident at 25 Fez Creek, Branchland, Lincoln County, West Virginia.
The victim, Mr. Robert Morales, a 53-year-old male, sustained a gunshot wound to the hand in a drive-by style shooting at the intersection of WV RT. 10 and Nine-Mile Creek Road.
Following the incident, Mr. Morales was promptly transported by EMS to St. Mary’s Hospital for medical attention. Mr. Morales provided a detailed description of the suspect vehicle, including its West Virginia registration number.
Subsequent investigation led to the location of the vehicle at 10 Goldie Lane, Branchland, WV, where it was registered to Mr. Rodney Smith, a 19-year-old male who was also the driver.
The troopers apprehended Mr. Smith and arrested him for conspiracy. Additionally, the vehicle’s passenger was identified as Mr. Jacob Billups, a 22-year-old male. The investigating troopers are set to issue warrants for Mr. Billups’s arrest on charges of malicious wounding, wanton endangerment, and conspiracy today.
