Man charged with first degree murder after firing into vehicle

MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man has been charged with first degree murder after firing several shots into an occupied vehicle on Sunday.

According to reports from the Morgantown Police Department, a male suspect who would later be identified as Eric Alastair Sneed, 34 years of age, approached an occupied vehicle parked on the south side of the street on the 200 block of Walnut Street on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at approximately 3:07am.

Sneed, on foot, approached the vehicle from behind, then fired several shots from a handgun into the vehicle’s rear passenger area.

As the shooting was taking place, an officer with the Morgantown Police Department was driving on High Street and was crossing Walnut Street as Sneed could be observed firing into the vehicle.

The officer gave chase, and Sneed fled on foot. Following a brief foot chase with the officer, as well as other officers who were on patrol detail and downtown foot patrol, Sneed was apprehended near the city parking garage on Chestnut Street.

The handgun believed by authorities to have been used by Sneed in the shooting was recovered during the pursuit.

The vehicle into which Sneed had fired left the scene immediately, traveling directly to Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Two individuals, a male and a female, had been seated in the vehicle’s rear at the time of the incident. Both sustained gunshot wounds.

The male victim, Marcelius Likely, 34 years of age, was pronounced dead at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

The female, identifying information for which has not been disclosed pending notification of the family, continues to be treated for her injuries.

Sneed has been charged with one count of first degree murder, and awaits arraignment in Monongalia County Magistrate Court.

Authorities say that the investigation is ongoing, and encourage anyone with pertinent information to contact the Morgantown Police Department’s Detective Division at (304) 284-7454.