OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Oak Hill man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he threatened his neighbors and fired a revolver during a longstanding feud between the two households.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a shots-fired call at a residence on Terry Avenue in Oak Hill around 1 p.m. on May 30.
When law enforcement arrived, officers detained homeowner Larry Ballard, who reportedly lives at the residence with his son. Investigators said Ballard was emotional and unable to clearly explain what had occurred.
Deputies then spoke with neighbors Gene and Kathryn Glover, who reported an ongoing dispute with Ballard. The couple told investigators they were working on their property adjacent to Ballard’s home earlier that morning when he began walking along the property line, mumbling to himself and acting agitated.
According to the complaint, Ballard’s behavior became increasingly erratic throughout the morning. Around 11:45 a.m., Kathryn Glover alleged that Ballard yelled, “You ruined my property, I’m going to kill you motherf*****,” before returning to his house.
The Glovers told deputies Ballard later emerged onto his front porch, where they heard several gunshots. They then reported hearing additional shots fired from the rear of the home and asked a neighbor to call 911.
During a search of the property, deputies located a revolver hidden beneath the house. Investigators said the firearm, which was inside a carrying pouch, was visible through a partially open access door beneath the rear porch and was seized as evidence.
Authorities said Ballard initially requested medical attention but later refused treatment when emergency medical personnel arrived. While being transported to the sheriff’s office, he again requested medical care and was taken to Plateau Medical Center, where he was evaluated and medically cleared before being taken for processing.
Ballard was charged with wanton endangerment, assault, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a residence.
Investigators also obtained a search warrant for Ballard’s cellphone in an effort to access footage from security cameras installed around his home that may have captured the incident.
