Three U.S. marshals shot in Elkins; assailant killed [one Marshal has died]

The Charleston Gazette ^ | 16 FEB 11 | By Gary A. Harki

[DCBryan1]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Three U.S. marshals were shot while trying to serve a warrant in Elkins this morning. The man who shot them was then killed by law enforcement, according to sources close to the investigation.

The marshals and State Police troopers were at the home of Charles Smith at about 8:30 a.m. to serve a warrant on him for failing to appear in court on possession of drugs and firearms charges, according to sources.

After announcing that they were there to serve a warrant, officers breached the door and stepped into the house.

Smith then opened fire with a shotgun, hitting one marshal in the neck, one in his bulletproof vest and one in the arm or hand, according to sources.

A marshal and trooper then fired at Smith, killing him, according to sources. The trooper likely fired the shot that killed him, sources say.

The marshal shot through the neck was transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. His condition is unknown.

A statement from the U.S. Marshal’s office confirmed that three marshals were shot and that two were taken to a local hospital for treatment and one was transported by helicopter.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Baylous could only confirm that there was a shooting incident in Elkins while officers attempted to serve a warrant.

Reach Gary Harki at gha...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.

[Ratman83]

Your previous post

“We know that they had a warrant, supported by probable cause or it wouldn’t have been issued, and that they knocked and announced.”

I am so glad that you actually were present for the arrest, and aqusition of the warrent.

if you were not than you are just speculating that what was reported is correct.

“Speculation is gossip. Gossip is evil. Period.”

What a bucnh of Sh@@

[Nebr FAL owner]

No we aren’t praising the criminal the person in question is a suspect till proven guilty & the folks who went after him are Federal Law Enforcement Officers .

They are folks who have lied in the past, falsified evidence,concealed exculpitory evidence because the ends justify the means to some of them .

Therefore trusting in the honesty ,integrity & constitutional fideleity of the aforementioned Federal Law Enforcement agents is something a great many folks have a problem doing.

Now if govt agents who are less than honest& I include Judges, U.S. Attorneys,Federal LEO’s would actually be dealt with as you or I would be dealt with for breaking the law then this problem of lack of trust in the integrity ,Honesty & Constitotional Fidelity would not exist.

[SeeSac]

Have we sunk to the point where we praise criminals who violate the law and condemn officers who follow the Constitution to the letter?

Yes. There are a few that do.

[Ratman83]

See post 81

[ZX12R]

if you were not than you are just speculating that what was reported is correct.

Oh Noes!

[SeeSac]

As far the "millions and millions" for shortened shotguns goes, I believe that Ruby Ridge occurreed because there was suspicion that Randy Weaver had shortened a gun.

It was a FACT that he shortened a gun.

[Vaduz]

War on the drug dealer and the drug dealer Fought Back and lost,next.

[Ratman83]

I know I should not have but his whole attidue just hit me wrong.

[mad_as_he$$]

So US Marshals and State Troopers. Where was the Sheriff's Department?

Some people do not stop when cops yell “Freeze”.

[mad_as_he$$]

So US Marshals and State Troopers. Where was the Sheriff's Department?

Some people do not stop when cops yell “Freeze”.

[ZX12R]

I know I should not have but his whole attidue just hit me wrong.

You just pointed out the silliness of it. You did nothing wrong.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>>People here hate the Police so much ...

Libertarian boobs!

[ClearCase_guy]

I'm not arguing the fact. Another poster was challenged on the assertion that we spend millions of dollars chasing shortened guns. Ruby Ridge is an incident that proves that we do exactly that. Maybe it's a good thing, maybe it's a bad thing. But it is a fact that we do it.

I tried to choose my words carefully -- the "suspicion" that Weaver had shortened a gun caused the raid. After people were killed, and after the siege was lifted, this suspicion was verified as a fact. My statement was that the incident occured because of the suspicion. I was correct when I said this.

[no-to-illegals]

Prayers up for the Officers hurt, and prayers for their families and friends. Another prayer for the person who according to report is dead. No speculation on the facts, this time, just prayer.

[freedomwarrior998]

Wilson v. Arkansas, 514 U.S. 927 (1995). (As for the rest of your screed, perhaps you should reassess your “facts”).

[thefactor]

What if you know you did not show up to court on some serious charges? Wouldn’t you be expecting the cops to show up? Or would you just assume they were imposters and begin poppin caps?

[freedomwarrior998]

We have facts, not speculation. You just don’t like the facts.

[Ratman83]

So your were there, good. Please inform us of the full details.

[okie01]

Curious if this was a “no knock” warrant. Those things will get people killed.

No no-knock.

After announcing that they were there to serve a warrant, officers breached the door and stepped into the house.

Smith was asking for trouble. He got it.

[Ratman83]

But do not forget the it was ATF who entrapped him into the act.