Shooting, assault suspect found hiding in pipe, sheriff says

MILL CREEK, W.Va (WDTV) - A man suspected of firing a gun and assaulting two females was arrested after he was found hiding in a culvert pipe, authorities said.

Randolph County deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call Sunday on Bradley Mountain Rd. in Mill Creek around 12:45 p.m., according to a criminal complaint.

57-year-old Leon Eaton had “severely beaten” a woman and female child before firing a gun, the RCSO said.

Court documents said Eaton threw the gun into nearby weeds after firing it three times through the passenger side window of a car.

After another man heard the gunshots and screaming, he allegedly broke up the dispute by hitting Eaton several times in the face. Authorities say Eaton then left the scene.

Authorities arrived on the scene shortly after the dispute ended and found the firearm and began a manhunt for Eaton.

Authorities say they later found Eaton hiding inside a culvert pipe near a creek bed and took him into custody.

Eaton has been charged with domestic battery and wanton endangerment involving a firearm. He is being held at North Central Regional Jail.

ORIGINAL STORY

A man suspected of firing a gun and assaulting two females was arrested after he was found hiding in a culvert pipe, authorities said.

Randolph County deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call Sunday on Bradley Mountain Rd. in the Valley Bend area.

The suspect -- who has not yet been identified -- had “severely beaten” a woman and female child before firing a gun, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies used a K-9 to track the suspect to a creek bed where authorities say he was found hiding in a culvert pipe.

State police are handling the ongoing investigation.

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