CHARLESTON, WV – Police are reporting that
the
man accused of shooting and killing a Charleston, West Virginia
officer had purchased drugs before the attack.
I ask that you stop what
you’re doing and say a prayer for the family and friends of
Officer Cassie Johnson.
#BackTheBlue https://t.co/v9hL9W1vLM— Kyle Morris (@RealKyleMorris)
December 3, 2020
Kanawha County Sheriff, Mike Rutherford, reported that the
suspect in the case, Joshua Philips, purchased drugs from a home
near where he shot and killed Charleston Officer Cassie Johnson.
Police say they were able to place Philips at Richard Chapman’s
residence prior to the fateful encounter.
Detective CA Boner reported that investigators met with Chapman,
who stated Philips was at his residence prior to the shooting
looking for “ice”, which is a street name for methamphetamine.
Although Chapman has allegedly admitted to giving him drugs in the
past, there is no information available to determine if he did or
did not.
Boner spoke to three other people at the residence, Herb Sharp,
Marshall Sharp, and a woman that police are not identifying. Herb
told officers that he saw Philips come to the residence looking to
purchase pills from Chapman.� The pills Philips was allegedly
looking for were Clonazepam and Klonopin.
Court documents also suggest that an unnamed witness, possibly
the same unnamed woman, reported hearing a conversation between
Marshall and Chapman in which they mentioned Philips coming to the
residence to purchase “pills and dope.â€
Court documents state that Marshall admitted that he had sold
Chapman 60-80 Klonopin pills, and was paid $100 for them. Marshall
allegedly told Boner that his uncle, Herb, had introduced him to
Chapman so that he could help with selling pills.
CPD is now leaving the
hospital and heading over to Laidley Field for a candlelight vigil,
honoring their fallen sister in blue – Officer Cassie
Johnson.@WOWK13News
pic.twitter.com/KIaZ9X6pmI— Cassidy Wood (@CassidyWoodTV)
December 2, 2020
Marshall claimed the only time he came into contact with Philips
was when he entered Chapman’s room. For some reason, Marshall
claimed that he waited inside of Herb’s room to stay away from
Philips, but there was no explanation as to why.
The criminal complaint states that there were a number of pills
that were removed from Philips’ pants at the time of his arrest.
According to Sergeant MK Knapp, the pills were processed and turned
over to the Charleston Police Department.
Knapp stated that there were a total of 63 blue round pills with
a C over 1 imprinted on them. Those markings indicate that those
pills were Clonazepam/Klonopin, which is a schedule IV
narcotic.
The original incident stemmed from Johnson responding to a
traffic complaint on Garrison Avenue. When she arrived on the
scene, she made contact with Philips, who allegedly parked in a
driveway that was not his.
The Charleston Resident Office
and the entire Secret Service sends our condolences to the family,
friends and colleagues of fallen Charleston police officer Cassie
Johnson. pic.twitter.com/cG6iFDINUl— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService)
December 4, 2020
Police say video surveillance in the area shows Johnson going
across the street from where the car was parked, and then returning
to the car with Philips. At some point during this interaction, a
confrontation ensued.
Rutherford told WSAZ:
“There was some discussion back and forth. It appears
she may have attempted to place him under arrest because there was
a scuffle at that time. For a brief period of time, they stopped,
it started again and that’s when the incident went down, and it
got obviously much worse.â€
Philips fired a weapon, striking Johnson, and as she went down,
police said she was able to return fire, striking Philips. Philips
was located nearby, and arrested without further incident.
Blue is lighting up
Charleston’s night sky, honoring officer Cassie Johnson. 💙💙
pic.twitter.com/lYVRi5cQYy— Danielle Dindak (@danielledindak)
December 3, 2020
Johnson was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later
succumbed to her injuries. She was kept alive while medical staff
worked to get her organs donated to those in need.
Philips was also taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment
for the gunshot wound he received during the fight. While there
has been no official listing as to his status, he is listed as
recovering in a hospital.
He will be charged with the murder of a law enforcement officer
once he is released from the hospital.
Female police officer murdered while responding to a parking
complaint – still managed to return fire
December 3, 2020
CHARLESTON, WV – A police
officer with the Charleston, West Virginia Police Department
was shot in the line of duty on December 1st while dealing with an
armed suspect. The involved officer was able to return fire,
striking the suspect who was later captured.
This hero officer succumbed to her injuries.
Law enforcement officials say
a female Charleston police officer has been shot while responding
to a parking complaint. A suspect is in custody.Story: https://t.co/9yvm23ks45 pic.twitter.com/4rEmggB4EO
— Eyewitness News (@wchs8fox11)
December 1, 2020
The Charleston Police Chief Tyke Hunt and Mayor Amy Shuler
Goodwin, released a joint statement on December 2 around 4pm:
“This afternoon, a Charleston Police Officer was shot
while in the line of duty. The officer has been transported to the
hospital and is in surgery at this time. We ask all Charleston
residents to keep our officer and the entire Charleston Police
Department in their thoughts and prayers. We will provide more
information as it is available.â€
JUST IN | Charleston city
officials say there will be a news conference on the
officer-involved shooting at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Fm1GAUjXbX— Tori Yorgey (@WSAZToriY)
December 1, 2020
Johnson was responding to a traffic complaint on Garrison
Avenue and came into contact with the alleged shooter, Joshua
Phillips.
While it is still unknown how or why the shooting happened,
Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford alleges that Philips opened
fire, striking Johnson.
They also believe, that through the pain of the gunshot wound,
Johnson showed tremendous courage and strength and was able to
return fire, striking Philips.
At 6pm, Hunt relayed:
“Officer Johnson was struck in what would normally be
a killer wound, but in the true fighting spirit of the Charleston
Police Department and those who are truly called to serve, she has
a pulse, she’s not out of the woods and is going to be recovering
and we hope and pray that she makes a full
recovery.â€
Hunt the added:
“Not only do we need your prayers tonight for Cassie,
but we need prayers tonight for her mother Cheryl, her sister
Chelsie, but also for our first responders who make these calls
every single day.â€
Sadly, on December 2nd, Hunt announced that Johnson is not
likely going to survive from the shooting. Hunt said:
“With a heavy heart, I hate to say she is not going to
be able to pull through this. She is still fighting but her body
is unable to sustain life by itself.â€
A Charleston Police Officer
has been shot. Initially suspect was on the run but the KCSO says
they have one person detained. @CassidyWoodTV
is on scene. https://t.co/5Y21LaIGqJ— Lily Bradley (@lbradleyTV)
December 1, 2020
Hunt did not report on the condition of Philips nor the area in
which he was shot by Johnson. The only comment that was made is
that Philips is currently recovering in the hospital.
The investigation into the police involved shooting was turned
over to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office according to
Rutherford. At this time, they will not be releasing any
information as to what could have led up to the shooting until
after they have a clearer picture of what happened. Rutherford
said:
“Once that’s [investigation] finished we will turn
our information over to the Charleston Police Department and the
Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office and they will determine what
charges [will be filed against Philips].â€
Hunt asked again for prayers for Johnson and her family. He
said:
“As one final parting gift to continue to help others,
she is an organ donor. The doctors are working with the family to
determine eligibility and work out some donorship
there.â€
God bless Officer Johnson and
her family. Please keep the @CharlestonPDWV
in your prayers.
#EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/bwU5OMa2sm— Manny Ramirez (@MannyRamirez_TX)
December 2, 2020
Johnson was the first female officer sworn into the city by
Goodwin after she was elected as Mayor. Goodwin commented that
Johnson’s dedication to the community and her commitment to be a
professional law enforcement officer will be remembered by her
agency and the community.
Goodwin also called for prayers:
“Her family still needs your prayers, and to this
community we still need your strength. [Johnson] is a wonderful,
bright young woman who is going to leave an amazing legacy for
every woman in this city.â€
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Police: Man who shot and killed West Virginia police officer bought
drugs just before launching the attack appeared first on
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