BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man is stabbed with a dog stake after a fight broke out at Dollar General.
On July 28, 2024, PFC D.G. Brown, responded to a call regarding a fight in progress at 2970 Robert C. Byrd Drive, specifically at the Dollar General in Beckley. The Emergency Operations Center informed police that the store manager reported a fight between a white male and a black male occurring in the parking lot.
Upon arrival, police saw the victim walking toward the officers. He indicated that he had been stabbed by a male individual he referred to as “Black.” Based on police previous encounters, they recognized “Black” as Scottey Wright, who is known by that nickname. Police informed other officers that the suspect was Scottey Wright and instructed them to search the area for him.
Officers subsequently located Mr. Wright on the rail trail. At that point, Mr. Wright was detained and taken to the police department for questioning and further investigation. While at the scene, police noted that the suspect had a laceration on the back of his right arm, which was bleeding.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and treated the wound, revealing a vertical cut approximately 5 inches long. EMS determined that the injury did not require stitches and cleaned and bandaged it on-site.
Police then inquired about the events leading to the altercation. The victim explained that while inside the store, he saw Mr. Wright and his girlfriend, paying for items at the checkout. He mentioned having lent the girlfriend about $200 a few months ago, which she had not repaid. He claimed he asked her to cover his green tea, given her debt to him, to which she responded, “OK.”
The victim said he scanned his green tea under the girlfriend’s transaction, leading to an exchange of words with Mr. Wright. He then exited the store and stood outside. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Wright came out and approached him, resulting in a physical confrontation.
During the struggle, the victim believed he was cut with a knife. Officers reviewed the camera footage, which showed Mr. Wright approaching the victim while holding an object in his left hand. Mr. Wright cornered the victim and the two began to fight.
After the victim was cut, he attempted to retreat, but Mr. Wright continued to pursue him, using the item as a weapon while making a “stashing motion” toward him. After about two minutes, the two separated, and Mr. Wright left the scene. Later, police spoke with Mr. Wright at the police department, where he was read his Miranda rights, and agreed to discuss the incident.
Mr. Wright claimed that after leaving the store, the victim warned him to “watch your back,” which prompted him to approach and engage in a fight. When asked about the stab wound suffered by the victim, Mr. Wright eventually explained that he had a “dog stake” in his hand, referring to the metal piece anchored in the ground to which a dog’s leash or chain can be attached. He asserted that he did not intend to harm him but felt threatened by his comment.
The video footage clearly showed Mr. Wright as the primary aggressor, initiating the confrontation, while the victim attempted to escape. A witness corroborated this by stating that Mr. Wright was indeed the primary aggressor, and her account matched the video evidence.
Mr. Wright claimed that he discarded the “dog stake” in some bushes near the rails to trails, but he could not specify the exact location. Police then informed Mr. Wright that he was in custody for unlawful wounding. He was processed for the charge and transported to the Southern Regional Jail without any incidents.
