SALEM, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On Thursday, May 5, 2022 at approximately 4:30 pm, Tpr. D. V. Bickerstaff of the West Union Detachment received a Brandishing complaint at a residence on Big Isaac Road in Salem, WV.
It was alleged that 44 year old Richard E. America III had brandished an AR-15 rifle at his stepson and a friend earlier in the afternoon.
Tpr. Bickerstaff obtained a search warrant for the residence based on the fact that Mr. America is a prohibited person. Later in the evening he and Troopers Starcher, Cpl. Glaspell and Deputy Travis of the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Office traveled to the residence in order to serve the search warrant.
Upon arrival, Mr. America was encountered and he opened fire on the officers as they approached the Hilltop residence.
Officers coordinated backup and called out the WVSP Special Response Team who responded to the scene along with units from the Doddridge and Harrison County Sheriff’s Departments and West Union City Police Departments.
Mr. America eventually surrendered and was subsequently charged with two counts of Wanton Endangerment and six counts of Attempted Murder.
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
