PARKERSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Memphis, Tennessee man was arrested on January 30, 2025, after an attempted shooting outside the Wood County Courthouse in Parkersburg.
The incident occurred around 11:07 a.m. when deputies responded to a disturbance involving two males and a firearm.
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According to Chief Deputy G.M. Deem, who was the first to arrive at the scene, the suspect fled when he saw officers approaching.
Chief Deem quickly alerted fellow deputies about the suspect’s clothing and direction of travel.
Deputies B.G. Turner, C.P. Nichols, and Captain R.A. George spotted the suspect near a Honda SUV behind the Bureau of Fiscal Services building on 3rd Street.
The deputies pursued the man on foot and issued clear commands for him to drop his weapon.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Deandre Dowdy of Memphis, complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
Witnesses at the scene reported that Dowdy had been arguing with the driver of the SUV when he pulled a handgun from his waistband and attempted to shoot the driver.
However, the gun jammed. Dowdy reportedly cleared the jam, cycled in a new round, and attempted to fire again as the driver drove away.
Units canvassing the area found an unspent round near the Courthouse, with the bullet lodged deep within the casing.
Authorities later confirmed that the weapon was never discharged, and the driver of the SUV, who is known to Dowdy, has been identified as a witness.
Dowdy has been charged with attempted murder and two counts of wanton endangerment.
Magistrate Kuhl set a cash-only bond of $150,000 for Dowdy, who remains in custody at the Wood County Holding Center pending bond payment.
The investigation is ongoing.
