New Details Emerging As Investigation Continues Into W. Va. Shooting Spree
MORGANTOWN (KDKA/AP) -- Investigators say a towing company owner killed his ex-girlfriend, two men she was having a relationship with and the owner of a rival tow truck firm in West Virginia.
State Police Lt. Michael Baylous and Monongalia County Sheriff Kenneth "Al" Kisner on Tuesday revealed the motive for the shooting rampage during a radio interview on West Virginia MetroNews.
Police say the shootings started Monday morning when the owner of a rival tow truck company, Doug Brady, was gunned down at his business. The gunman then killed his ex-girlfriend Sharon Kay Berkshire and Michael David Frum, who were together at a house, before he went to another home and killed Jody Taylor.
A note posted at Doug's Towing in Westover on Tuesday morning says the shop is closed due to a family emergency.
It was there that Brady was shot and killed.
Secretary Lisa Mathess watched surveillance video of the moment Hunt shot Brady at the garage.
"Mr. Hunt had walked into our garage, and shot him, and turned around and acted like it was no big deal, he showed no remorse, no nothing," she said.
"Just a little freaked out about it," said James McDonald, a Westover resident. "Just didn't think something like that would happen, especially in this little community."
State police identify the suspect as 39-year-old Jody Hunt. Authorities say he later turned the gun on himself.
A Facebook post may have helped point police to the motive. It reads in part: "…This was not a plan but a struggle to see that those who strive to hurt me received their fair pay of hurt like I received."
"It wasn't random and it was more than just a casual acquaintance," said Lt. Baylous. "He knew them very well is my understanding."
KDKA learned Tuesday that the female victim filed a domestic violence case against the suspect in October, but dropped the case in November. Neighbors in Westover also say that Hunt had been in business with Taylor, operating J&J Towing together.
"I understand they were partners at one time," McDonald said. "They bought each other out and went their separate ways."
Some communities were paralyzed during Monday's manhunt.
"My wife freaked out. She was petrified 'cause the schools were on lockdown," said McDonald. "My biggest thought was just getting my son and daughter home."
After hours of searching through parts of West Virginia, state police say Hunt was found dead in his truck on Monday night about a half-hour outside of Morgantown near the town of Evertville.
You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories
4-Dead In Multiple W. Va. Shootings (12/1/14)
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
