DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN RITCHIE COUNTY - Police Searching For Suspect

(04/22/2001)
By Bob Weaver

(9 P.M. Update) Two Ritchie County residents, a man and a woman, were shot to death about noon Sunday near Washburn. Police are looking for Hubert Lusk Jr. as a suspect in the murders. Lusk reportedly fled the scene after the couple were apparently gunned down in a garage. Neighbors heard the gunshots, after which the bodies were discovered.

Law enforcement from Calhoun County were alerted in the afternoon. A spokesperson from Ritchie County said there was concern Lusk could be using back roads.

Police declined to identify the victims, but sources said one of the deceased was a McDonald who had retired to the area. The other victim may have been Lusk's wife. Lusk had lived in the area for a while, and reportedly had been in trouble with the law.

Police are searching for Lusk, who may be headed toward Blair Mountain in Logan County. West Virginia State Police said he is considered armed and dangerous. He is six foot tall and weighs 240 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes and has a crew style haircut.

Bulletins have been given on Lusk's vehicle, a red Ford F150 four-wheel drive bearing West Virginia plate 1S 9894. Police later said he may be traveling in a green 1991 Geo Storm with West Virginia plate 4Y5275, belonging to the female victim.

Authorities should be notified immediately regarding the whereabouts of the suspect.

The bodies of the victims have been taken to West Virginia University for autopsy.