FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A routine call to a local gas station turned into a chaotic, hours-long ordeal for Fayetteville police officers on Saturday, April 5, 2025, when they encountered a visibly paranoid and intoxicated man threatening to break windows and claiming his life was in danger.
The incident began around 10:03 p.m., when officers were dispatched to the Exxon on Davis Street after reports that a male subject was experiencing shortness of breath and threatening property damage if help didn’t arrive soon.
Upon arrival, Patrolmen J.P. Hannigan and J.L. McGuire made contact with the man, identified as Brandon Scott Lamb, who was showing signs of severe paranoia and intoxication. Lamb, 42, repeatedly told officers that someone was trying to kill him and became visibly distressed anytime a car entered the parking lot.
In a compassionate attempt to de-escalate the situation, Patrolman McGuire even bought Lamb a Subway sandwich after Lamb claimed he hadn’t eaten. Lamb also admitted to ongoing meth and fentanyl abuse, and initially agreed to seek treatment.
Officers contacted Tyson Kincaid, a peer advocate, who worked to arrange placement at Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston for detox. But despite nearly an hour of persuasion from officers and Kincaid, Lamb ultimately changed his mind and said he’d rather “just go to jail.”
Due to his unpredictable behavior, Kincaid didn’t feel comfortable transporting him. Officers offered Lamb a ride, to which he agreed—on one condition: he would only ride in Patrolman M.S. Kees’ marked patrol vehicle, not the unmarked car.
But once seated in the cruiser, things took a turn.
Lamb became extremely agitated, screaming and thrashing around. Officers removed him from the vehicle and attempted to restrain him after he tried to flee. He was held on the ground briefly while officers ensured he couldn’t hurt himself or others. Lamb was then placed back into the patrol vehicle—only to begin kicking and damaging the inside of the cruiser.
While en route to the Fayetteville police office on Justice Lane, Lamb’s erratic behavior continued. Officer Kees had to pull over to give loud verbal commands as Lamb’s kicking threatened to shatter a window.
Once at the station, Lamb dented both back doors of the cruiser with his continued kicking. He was subsequently charged with obstruction, public intoxication, and destruction of property. Photos of the damage were taken, and all interactions were captured via audio and video.
Lamb was transported to Southern Regional Jail.
