MORGAN COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Morgan County Sheriff’s deputy was shot Saturday morning while responding to a reported break-in at a residence in the Spohrs Crossroads area, just east of Berkeley Springs.
According to reports, Deputy Bradley Mechem and Deputy M. Butts responded to a 911 call around 7 a.m. on July 26 regarding an unwanted man banging on the door of a home on Anderson Court.
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By the time deputies arrived, the suspect had already forced his way into the house, prompting the occupants to flee through a back door.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Melvin Gallion of Flintstone, Maryland, had allegedly shot two dogs at the scene in front of a child who lived at the home.
When deputies arrived, Gallion turned a 12-gauge shotgun on the officers, shooting Deputy Mechem four times — once above the eye and in the hand.
Deputies returned fire, striking Gallion.
He was transported to Berkeley Medical Center for treatment. Deputy Mechem was taken to War Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released later that morning.
The West Virginia State Police is leading the investigation and processing the crime scene.
Gallion is reportedly wanted on a warrant from Allegany County, Maryland, for strangulation.
He was also involved in a separate case under investigation by Deputy Diehl of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation remains ongoing.
