LIZEMORES, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Clay County man is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge after firing his gun at a sheriff’s deputy during an investigation on Sunday, March 30.
According to a criminal complaint, law enforcement was dispatched around 2 p.m. to a home on Ripatoe Road following reports of gunfire.
A Nicholas County deputy had reportedly been struck by gunfire while driving, though it was later determined he had not been hit.
Upon arrival, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Officer J.N. Holcomb and Deputy Barber of the Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department met at the residence.
Deputy Barber told Officer Holcomb he had originally gone to the home to follow up on a stolen vehicle investigation.
Deputy Barber stated he parked at the bottom of the driveway and walked toward the residence, announcing his presence.
However, after encountering aggressive dogs, he returned to his cruiser.
As he again identified himself over the vehicle’s PA system and activated his sirens, he saw a man in a bright neon shirt emerge from a camper, raise a firearm, and fire three shots in his direction.
Deputy Barber immediately backed out of the driveway and called for backup.
A large law enforcement presence soon arrived, establishing a perimeter around the home. Officers observed the same man in the neon shirt inside the camper.
After verbal commands, he and a woman exited and surrendered. Authorities identified them as Joshua L. Carver and Patricia L. Carver.
During questioning, Patricia Carver told police she was peeling potatoes inside the camper when she noticed law enforcement outside. She saw Joshua exit the camper before hearing two gunshots.
Afterward, she said she witnessed him return to the camper holding a pistol.
Police obtained a warrant to search Joshua Carver and the camper. They recovered three spent 9mm shell casings, a small amount of ammunition (.9mm, .308, and .223), and two firearms—a 9mm pistol and a .308 hunting rifle.
The handgun had eight bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber, supporting Deputy Barber’s account of events, according to the complaint.
Carver was taken to the West Virginia State Police Clay Detachment, where he was read his Miranda rights and agreed to give a statement.
He admitted to firing his handgun three times but claimed it was to scare off stray dogs attacking his chickens. Carver acknowledged knowing officers were on his property but insisted he did not shoot at them.
Following the investigation, authorities charged Joshua Carver with attempted first-degree murder.
After processing, he was transported to Central Regional Jail, where he remains.
