CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Additional information has come to light regarding the deadly Saturday night shooting of a Kanawha County man in the Rand area.
According to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the victim in the shooting which occurred on the night of Saturday, May 20, 2023, has been identified as Thomas Lawrence Green IV, 43 years old of South Charleston.
It has been determined by investigators with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office that the incident came about as the result of a domestic dispute between Green’s wife and the biological father of her children, John R. Hardy – 39 years old of Institute, WV.
Reports indicate that Green and his wife had travelled to the Raven Drive area in an attempt to locate the wife’s daughter who had misled her mother regarding her location. Green and his wife encountered Hardy and a verbal altercation quickly ensued and rapidly escalated.
According to investigators, as the dispute escalated on the street, Green drew a handgun on Hardy and attempted to fire, but the weapon malfunctioned. At that point Hardy, who was also carrying a handgun at the time, drew his own weapon and fired multiple rounds, striking Green multiple times and fatally injuring him.
Hardy is reported to have remained at the scene to await the arrival of law enforcement, with whom he was cooperative during the investigation. Evidence collected at the scene along with statements collected from all parties involved has led investigators to believe that Hardy may have shot Green in self-defense after Green drew his weapon.
The details of the case are currently under review by the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and forensic evidence collected at the scene is being examined. Though the investigation is active and remains ongoing, no criminal charges will be filed against Hardy at the time of writing.
