Associated Press Published

Sheriff: Man Allegedly Impersonates Trooper, Shoots Resident

9 mm handgun

Authorities in Nicholas County say a man allegedly identified himself as a state trooper to try to gain entry to a residence in Dixie before shooting another man.

Sheriff David P. Hopkins says in a news release that 22-year-old Briar Allen Stewart of Belva was arrested Wednesday in Kanawha County on charges of malicious wounding, wanton endangerment and nighttime burglary.

Hopkins says Stewart allegedly knocked on a door Tuesday night, identified himself as a West Virginia state trooper and later fired a gun through a window, striking 25-year-old Naamon Bird Jr. in the arm.

Hopkins says Stewart fled and was later located in the Cedar Grove area.

Stewart was held Wednesday in the South Central Regional Jail on $250,000 bond. Jail records didn’t indicate whether Stewart has an attorney.