Late last month, local West Virginia news outlets reported that a man had been shot dead while serving as a pallbearer at his father’s funeral in Nutter Fort, W.V.
U.S. Marshals of the Northern District of West Virginia confirmed to WBOY that members of the Mountain State Fugitive Task Force were involved in the shooting. Weeks later, questions still swirl around the incident.
According to WBOY, Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny said law enforcement officers arrived at Amos Carvelli funeral home to apprehend 37-year-old Jason Arnie Owens, who had a fugitive warrant out for his arrest. He was serving as a pallbearer for the funeral of his father, Junior Arnie Owens.
Matheny said the plainclothes officers believed Owens was armed. Altogether, more than a dozen law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were at the scene, along with civilians.
Family friend Cassandra Whitecotton told the Associated Press “there was no warning whatsoever,” besides someone yelling “Jason,” before the shots were fired. When he was struck, Owens’ 18-year-old son was splattered with his father’s blood, said the outlet.
The AP reported Thursday that 800 people had joined a private Facebook group called “Justice for Jason Owens” and by Saturday it had an estimated 1,000 members.
“As relatives prepared for services Friday for Owens, a state police investigation of the shooting was underway,” the AP said. “But patience in the community is wearing thin.”
However, acting U.S. Marshal Terry Moore said he couldn’t answer questions during the investigation. Messages left with state police weren’t returned, the AP added.
“At approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, members of the U.S. Marshals-led Mountain State Fugitive Task Force and other law enforcement agencies were involved in an officer-involved shooting during a fugitive investigation that resulted in a fatality in Nutter Fort, West Virginia,” said U.S. Marshals statement published by WBOY. “Preliminary information indicates that during the arrest attempt, the subject produced a firearm. As a result, law enforcement officers discharged their firearms striking the individual. Officers immediately rendered first aid until emergency medical services arrived; however, the man succumbed to his injuries. No law enforcement officers or other persons were injured during the incident. The lead investigating agency for this incident is the West Virginia State Police.”
West Virginia’s News reported in 2018 that Owens had been charged with reckless fleeing, strangulation and second-offense battery on a governmental representative.
“Owens admitted fleeing recklessly in a vehicle April 12 from law enforcement and then, when he tried to get away on foot, grappling with Deputy Brian Deem after Deem grabbed his shirt and they slid down a hill,” said the report. Owens also acknowledged a prior battery on a Lumberport police officer, according to the outlet.
Regarding Owens’ death investigation, Matheny promised “a full, independent and transparent investigation.”
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