The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 28, 2009

Fayette County hunter killed, homicide probe under way

By Steve Keenan

A Greenbrier County man is dead and a homicide investigation is ongoing after a shooting in the Springdale area of Fayette County Monday.

According to Fayette County Sheriff Steve Kessler, Greenbrier County authorities were notified about 5:30 p.m. Monday of an apparent shooting death in a wooded area in Springdale.

EMS personnel from Quinwood Ambulance Service and rescue personnel from the Meadow Bridge and Rainelle fire departments, as well as Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies and West Virginia Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, were dispatched to the scene, Kessler said.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered Clarence Edward Stroud III, 50, of Rainelle, dead at the scene from apparent shotgun wounds to the upper chest and face.

Stroud’s body was transported to the state’s chief medical examiner’s office in Charleston, where an autopsy was to be performed Tuesday.

According to Kessler, a preliminary investigation indicated that Stroud was hunting on his property when he was apparently shot between approximately 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Monday.

A joint investigation is being conducted by DNR conservation officers, members of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the Oak Hill detachment of State Police.

“At this time we are investigating this incident as a homicide,” Kessler said in a press release. “We have been unable to locate any witnesses to this incident and our investigative efforts will continue.”

“The circumstances surrounding this death remain unclear and we have not been able to rule out accidental means,” he added.

Anyone with any information that would aid in the investigation is urged to contact the Fayette County 911 Center at 304-574-3590, Crime Stoppers at 304-255-STOP or the FCSD at 304-574-4216.

Individuals may also submit information through the Crime Tips section of the sheriff’s Web site, www.fayettesheriffwv.net.

— E-mail: skeenan@register-herald.com

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