PERSON SHOT TO DEATH IN PARKING LOT OF RITCHIE'S ACE HARDWARE

(07/11/2019)
UPDATE 6 PM TUESDAY - The Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office has released new information in a deadly shooting July 9 at Ace Home Center in Pennsboro.

According to a press release, there had been a longstanding dispute between Ace Home Center employee Johnny Gregg, 66, of St. Marys, and customer Brian Cronin, 59, of St. Marys.

Gunfire erupted when Cronin confronted Gregg, according to a press release. Cronin was fatally shot while he was inside his vehicle in the parking lot, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office has not made any arrests at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and it involves the sheriff’s office, West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police.

The sheriff’s office said there is no active threat at Ace Home Center, and all parties involved have been identified.

Cronin’s body has been transferred to the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Charleston.

UPDATE 2 PM TUESDAY - A suspect has been taken into custody after a fatal shooting Tuesday morning at a Ace Hardware in Ritchie County, authorities said.

Sheriff Terry Snodgrass said a disgruntled male customer had a disagreement with an employee at the Ace Home Store in Pennsboro and that the victim was shot while inside his vehicle.

According to Snodgrass, the shooter has been co-operating with authorities.

Charges are still pending, and authorities have not identified any of the people involved.

BREAKING NEWS 10:20 AM TUESDAY - A shooting has left a dead person at an Ace Hardware Store in Ritchie County, according to 911.

Numerous police agencies have been dispatched to the scene, which is likely in Pennsboro.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the dead person is in a parking lot and the shooter is in a warehouse.

Details will follow.