RAVENCLIFF, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Wyoming County man is facing charges after an early morning incident involving threats, erratic behavior, and a confrontation with deputies that left one officer injured.
According to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 2:54 a.m. on April 30, 2026, to the Ravencliff area in response to a threats complaint. Upon arrival, officers encountered Anthony Ray Thornsbury outside a residence, appearing impaired and behaving aggressively.
Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation using Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) techniques and were initially able to calm Thornsbury, who agreed to be evaluated by emergency medical personnel. While waiting for EMS, Thornsbury reportedly made several unusual statements and admitted to using methamphetamine earlier that evening.
When EMS arrived, Thornsbury initially agreed to go to the hospital. However, the situation escalated when he left the ambulance and went behind the residence, insisting he would not leave without his dog.
Authorities say Thornsbury became aggressive again, grabbing a sledgehammer and a stick before advancing toward deputies. Despite repeated commands to stop, he allegedly continued forward before dropping the items but refusing to comply.
During the confrontation, a deputy deployed a Taser, but Thornsbury reportedly grabbed the device, twisting it away and causing the deputy to suffer a broken finger. At that point, both officers drew their firearms and continued issuing commands.
Thornsbury eventually complied, dropping the Taser and surrendering without further incident. He was taken into custody and transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department for processing.
The injured deputy was treated for a broken index finger.
The incident remains under investigation.
