BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A man who was shot multiple times outside a Beckley residence in January has survived, and investigators say surveillance footage and facial recognition technology have led them to identify a suspect.
The shooting happened on January 18, 2026, outside a home in Beckley. The victim transported himself to Raleigh General Hospital before being transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) for treatment.
Medical staff reported the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his left foot, both legs, left hip, left arm and abdomen.
Deputies processed the scene and collected spent shell casings before obtaining a search warrant for a nearby residence. During that search, investigators seized a surveillance system digital video recorder (DVR) and later secured a second warrant to extract its contents.
According to investigators, video footage showed a vehicle arriving near the scene. An individual was seen exiting a residence, walking around the side of the home with what appeared to be a firearm, and moving through a backyard toward the victim’s location. Moments later, the individual was seen returning through the yard, followed by several occupants leaving in two separate vehicles.
Law enforcement cameras later captured the victim traveling toward Raleigh General Hospital around 8:31 p.m. Additional footage showed the two vehicles seen leaving the scene traveling on New River Drive around 8:35 p.m., and later stopping at the Little General on Robert C. Byrd Drive in Bradley at approximately 8:51 p.m.
Investigators obtained video from the Little General and identified a man wearing the same clothing seen in earlier footage, walking with what appeared to be a firearm.
Authorities say an image from the surveillance video was run through facial recognition software, producing several results that included Joseph T. Shelton. Officers compared the image to DMV records and additional video footage and determined the individual matched Shelton.
Investigators also identified a black Genesis SUV bearing a temporary Ohio registration connected to a Beckley resident. Another vehicle, a 2026 Buick SUV registered in Beckley, was also observed following the Genesis on surveillance footage.
An officer with the Beckley Police Department who previously conducted a traffic stop involving Shelton reviewed the video and stated he believed the individual in the footage was Shelton. Another officer familiar with Shelton from a prior arrest also identified him from multiple camera angles.
During an interview, the victim told investigators he was approached by an individual who opened fire, striking him multiple times. Due to lighting conditions, he said he could not clearly identify the shooter but stated he owed $1,000 for marijuana to someone he knew by a nickname that investigators say matches Shelton’s online profile.
Investigators compared a Facebook profile photo associated with the nickname to Shelton’s DMV photo and the surveillance footage and concluded they depict the same person.
The investigation remains ongoing. Charges related to the shooting are expected.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
