Suspect arrested in deadly Mingo County trooper shooting

BEECH CREEK, W.Va. (WYMT) - State Police in West Virginia continue to investigate a shooting incident in which one of their troopers was killed and at least one other person injured in Mingo County.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced in a statement that West Virginia State Trooper Sgt. Cory Maynard was shot and killed in an “ambush-style situation” Friday afternoon in the Beech Creek area of Mingo County.

As of just before 11:00 p.m., our sister station WSAZ’s crew on scene reported that the suspect, 29-year-old Timothy Kennedy of Beech Creek, W.Va., was arrested

Sources with Pike County Schools tell WYMT that Sgt. Maynard graduated from Belfry High School in the class of 2003.

Initial reporting indicates that Kennedy attacked Sgt. Maynard in an ambush-style around 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Schools in Mingo County were on lockdown for a time Friday afternoon and the Mingo Central High School graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday evening was postponed until Saturday morning.

Governor Jim Justice ordered all U.S. and state flags to be flown in Sgt. Maynard’s honor.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said, “I’m heartbroken to hear of the death of Sergeant Cory Maynard in the line of duty. Our brave men and women of law enforcement and all first responders are heroes and we honor their service and sacrifice.”

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said, “I am heartbroken to hear of the death of @WVStatePolice Sgt. Cory Maynard in the line of duty today. I ask all West Virginians to join Gayle & I in praying for Sgt. Maynard’s family, friends, & our entire law enforcement community as we mourn the loss of this brave public servant.”

We will be updating this story as more information becomes available.

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