WHAT STARTED OUT AS A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL GOT ESCALATED AS SITUATION THEN WENT DOWNHILL AS OFFICERS TRIED TO TALK TO THE SUSPECT BARRICADED IN CAMPER TO SURRENDER, BUT ENDED INSTEAD WITH DEADLY GUNFIRE EXCHANGE
DECEMBER 5, 2020 – written by WADE QUEEN
RANDY LEE WARD, 34, (PHOTO TAKEN ON 07-06-2015 BY PUTNAM COUNTY, W.V. SHERIFF DEPARTMENT) WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY POLICE ON FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 4, IN NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTY, W..VA. AFTER STANDOFF WITH COPS ENDS VIOLENTLY.
West Virginia State Police say they have shot and killed the male suspect involved in a standoff with law enforcement.
Police officials said the violent incident happened in the 1000 block of Whites Creek Road, just off U.S. 52 in Prichard, not far from Kenova, in northern Wayne County, around 8:00 A.M. Friday morning, December 4.
According to West Virginia State Police 1st Sergeant G.N. Losh,said troopers were responding to 911 dispatchers reporting, to what started originally as a call for a domestic disturbance.
State troopers reported a man, who was identified as Randy Lee Ward, 34, barricaded himself inside a camper.
“Once on scene, troopers learned that the suspect (Ward) had fled the immediate area and a search began for him,” Trooper Losh said. “It was reported that a weapon was involved in the domestic disturbance incident.”
Trooper Losh said troopers, Wayne County Sheriff Department deputies and Kenova Police Department officers got involved in the search and located Ronald Lee Ward inside a camper near the home.
West Virginia State Police claimed when officers arrived on the scene, a shot was fired inside the camper.
Police shut down part of Whites Creek Road when the standoff began.
Officers talked to Randy Lee Ward several times, trying to get him to come out.
“They made contact with the suspect (Ward) inside the camper and tried several times to get him to come out,” trooper Losh stated. “The conversations weren’t going well. He was responding in a violent manner towards our troopers who were trying to talk him into coming out and putting the gun down, but that just wasn’t the case. It’s not what he decided to do.”
According to West Virginia State Police, Randy Lee Ward came out with a rifle and raised it, and pointed the rifle at troopers and deputies.
Trooper Losh said the initial investigation appears to show that Ward may have shot an AK-style rifle at police.
“A threat was made towards the officers and law enforcement ended up firing at the suspect and he is deceased,” Trooper Losh said firmly.
State police say that Randy Lee Ward did fire at law enforcement when they returned fire.
Officials say troopers and deputies shot and killed Randy Lee Ward.
No officers were injured in the shooting, and no one else was hurt during the incident, as no other injuries were reported.
Trooper Losh said he didn’t believe there was any type of hostage situation inside the camper.
“We are still talking to witnesses and the family involved in the incident,” Trooper Losh said about their investigation. “We have our crime scene team still here going over everything. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene of the standoff, including West Virginia State Police, Kenova Police Department, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were all at the scene.
Trooper Losh said all the officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
“At this point, I am not sure how many officers were involved, but it was more than one,” stated Trooper Larson.
The deadly police shooting case remains under investigation by the West Virginia State Police.
Play stupid games….win stupid prizes.
sad that something in his life went so wrong he had to die
This young man died, and that is very sad. The officers did no wrong, but this whole situation is wrong. “Domestic Violence”, not proven but alleged caused this boy to panic, whether real or imagined or made up, this boy committed suicide by cop…that’s what he did! I hope the ‘alleged’ victim is happy now. These laws need to change. I enforced them to the degree I wished, I was academy trained and I passed the tests, but I didn’t swallow the lies! 99% of domestic calls are BULLSHIT! This boy had a life ahead, but for one phone call. Police are trained to respond in mass and look at the man as guilty from the get go, when many times the woman is the guilty party, and cops are not trained to consider that very real fact. I pray for peace for this boys family.
You’re an idiot. Were you a real cop, or just a security guard or something. The victim, if this is a domestic violence situation, apparently had enough of this man’s abuse.
i think he has watched too much Barney Fife
tell us Karren how you know the so called victim didnt cause this to happen?
Not only was I a real cop, I have a master’s degree in behavioral psychology, and I do know what I’m talking about. As I said 99% of domestic violence is made up…FACT. You being stupid plays no part whatsoever.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. I think all of us He-men should be allowed to beat our women. You know, put ’em in their place. Makes us more manly too, but I would like to know. Where did you come up with these “facts”? And don’t give us “class 209 Nov 15 1991 DOCJT academy in Richmond KY”. That won’t be good enough.
How about I put a boot in your damn ass? Will that be good enough?
Also Joe C, I graduated class 209 Nov 15 1991 DOCJT academy in Richmond KY.
your spot on it, iv seen a lot of decent men ruind by BS dv calls , no one ever on the mans side , guilty without question , and yes some cause it but not all
Thank you Lee, and you are correct.
This man went to the “alleged victim’s” home armed with a rifle. He then barricaded himself in a camper, with his rifle, and refused, multiple times, to cooperate with law enforcement officers. When he did come outside, he raised his rifle toward the police and fired. I know you stated all of your training accolades and awards. It also seems, by your statement, that you feel he’s misunderstood and whoever called 911 is mostly to blame. However, when an angry, uncooperative individual starts firing a rifle directly at you, are you going to return fire or whip out your cell phone and call the nearest mental health facility to respond to the scene and have him analyzed? I’m telling you right now, if someone shows up at my house with a gun, their mental well-being is WAY down on my priority list. The safety of my family and myself is the ONLY thing that will be considered. And yes, this “alleged victim” would call 911!
No, you misjudged what I said. and you told a story that is not in the article. WHERE did it say ‘He Went There With a Rifle’. Did he live there? I’m not for the beating of women. Never did it, and never condoned it as a LEO…if it was REAL! Very few cases are REAL. You seem to know more than the official statement, or you don’t know anything? If you know something more…POST IT!
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According to the article, in the 5th paragraph of the story, it says a weapon was reportedly involved in the original domestic dispute. He fled the scene and a hunt for him began. He was found in a camper near the home. When he came out of the camper, he raised a rifle and fired at LEO. If he didn’t go to the house with a rifle, then it’s only left to assume that he happened to find one in the camper? Information not given in the article, but known to be true by neighbors of the family where the incident took place, is the fact that Mr. Ward’s ex-wife lives there with her current husband. How do I know this? I work, every day, with one of those neighbors who knows the family and the situation very well. Given the fact that the photo used in this article is a 2015 mugshot of Mr. Ward, this isn’t his first run-in with the law. Now, we all have the right to our own opinions. My opinion is that this was NOT suicide by cop. I firmly believe if he was able to shoot his way out, then he would have left the scene and been on the run. No one knows what went through his mind. Not me. Not you. Theories and opinions are all we have.
“It was reported that a weapon was involved in the domestic disturbance incident.”, I could report anything, so could you. The victim didn’t die, nor were they hurt (or I saw no mention of it) but this boy did die. He has a family who loved him. Isn’t the victim still walking around. This is my point, I could ‘report’ you were on the river bridge having relations with a sheep, then I would have to get a warrant for your arrest and prove my case in court. Or if you caught me with said sheep, you would have to do the same. Warrantless arrests are generally prohibited under the 14th amendment. In “Domestic Violence”, the rules change, boy do they change! A warrantless arrest is actually required! No evidence, no probable cause…just a phone call. The Catholic Church and a bunch of liberals started this in the late 70s. Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, was their first endeavor, Spouse Abuse Centers were next, then they infiltrated the court system and the judges, hence “Family Court”. There is a lot more than that in the sequence, but you can look it up if you wish. I responded to many of these calls, made some arrests, and sometimes I arrested both and often I arrested no one…and no one died. As a cop you see many things average people will never see. ( Be Thankful). 90% of DV cases are dismissed, wonder why? The man isn’t always wrong, and it’s hardly ever reported that way. If you want to swallow the lies, be my guest.
Jim, perhaps you should have started with this post. Having personal knowledge of an incident sometimes outweighs the printed page. I am sorry for my pre-judging you’re responses.
You just made up a LIE, and got caught at it didn’t you Jim Smith? Or is it AKA Joe C? Perhaps some special needs reading classes would help you. 🙂
Lol, Chuck you’re always good for a laugh! I wonder if you could get your boot up that high without splitting your skirt!
Try me Joe C! That’s the best way to find out.
Where’s the protests? Wrong color. In Louisville Ky. the guy would be a hero.
OK, Chuck. 3:30 after school on the playground. It’s on!!