Suspect arrested after West Virginia state trooper shot dead in ‘ambush style’ killing: Slain officer was a husband and father of two
- Sergeant Cory Maynard died Friday, as state police investigated a shooting call
- Maynard was then shot in what authorities described as an ‘ambush’ shooting
- 29-year-old Timothy Kennedy, was arrested after a seven-hour manhunt
A State Trooper in West Virginia is dead following an active-shooter incident Friday evening, with the shooter having been taken into custody later that evening as the state mourns a husband, father and public servant.
Sergeant Cory Maynard died Friday, as state police investigated a shooting call in the town of Beech Creek.
Maynard, one of the people to respond to the scene, was then himself shot in what authorities described as an ‘ambush style’ shooting. He died after being taken to a local hospital.
The suspect, 29-year-old Timothy Kennedy, then went on the run with a manhunt lasting the rest of the day.
Finally, at around 10 p.m. Friday, Kennedy was finally taken into custody by state troopers.
Sergeant Cory Maynard (pictured left) died Friday, as state police investigated a shooting call in the town of Beech Creek
Maynard was a highly decorated member of the state’s police force, getting their Lifesaving Award for rescuing a man involved in a pursuit who was trying to kill himself.
Justin Marcum, an attorney and former state lawmaker, remembered Maynard as a true lover of life, demonstrated by a meeting between the two while Maynard was jogging one day.
‘He throws his hand up, runs over and says, ‘What’s up buddy? I’m going to get this day in,’ You don’t even think about this stuff, it breaks your heart,’ Marcum said.
Governor Jim Justice announced Maynard’s death in a statement, adding that he was ‘absolutely heartbroken.’
He and first lady Cathy Justice extended their sympathies to Maynard’s family.
‘The brave men and women of law enforcement, and all first responders who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, are an inspiration to us all,’ Justice said.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin tweeted: ‘I am heartbroken to hear of the death of @WVStatePolice Sgt. Cory Maynard in the line of duty today.’
‘I ask all West Virginians to join Gayle & I in praying for Sgt. Maynard’s family, friends, & our entire law enforcement community as we mourn the loss of this brave public servant.’
The suspect, 29-year-old Timothy Kennedy, then went on the run with a manhunt lasting the rest of the day
A friend of the family wrote in a Facebook post that Maynard had a wife and two children.
No other injuries were reported, and further details on the shooting were not immediately made public.
News outlets reported that nearby residents were advised to stay indoors during the search, and a Friday night graduation ceremony at Mingo Central High School was postponed.
The shooting happened in the same county where a former sheriff was shot to death in April 2013.
Mingo and neighboring McDowell County are home to the legendary blood feud between the Hatfield family of West Virginia and the McCoy family of Kentucky.
