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Police are shown (background, right) at the B Street Apartments in St. Albans, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, following an incident where a suspect fired upon Kanawha County Sheriff's Office deputies who were attempting to serve a warrant. No one was injured in the incident, and the person accused by police of firing the shots was arrested.
Police are shown (background, right) at the B Street Apartments in St. Albans, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, following an incident where a suspect fired upon Kanawha County Sheriff's Office deputies who were attempting to serve a warrant. No one was injured in the incident, and the person accused by police of firing the shots was arrested.
ASHLEY PERHAM | Gazette-Mail
A man opened fire on police Wednesday morning in St. Albans as they attempted to arrest him in relation to a ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä homicide.
According to criminal complaint, Joel DeMarlo James McGee, 18, fired multiple shots from an assault-style rifle at officers with the St. Albans Police Special Response Team and ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Criminal Investigation Division from inside his B Street residence. McGee surrendered and no one was injured in the incident.Ìý
According to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, SRT officers approached McGee's residence at 6 a.m. to execute a felony arrest warrant and a search warrant, in relation to the July 1 fatal shooting of Jaiden Weekes.Ìý
By Sierra Marling and Ashley Perham
smarling@hdmediallc.com and aperham@hdmediallc.com
1 min to read
According to police — after SRT officers knocked and announced their presence — McGee began to shoot at police. Nine law enforcement officers and four civilians were in the line of the defendant's fire.
However, police did not fire back. The suspect, a woman and a 9-year-old boy — who were also present in the apartment — were unharmed.Ìý
"We're grateful none of them were harmed," KCSO Chief Deputy Sean Stumper said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "We also want to thank Saint Albans PD. If it wasn't for their training or their SWAT team, this may have ended badly."
Police said roughly 20 shell casings were collected at the scene. Those casings were found inside and outside the apartment and in an adjacent residence.
July 1 homicide
After the news conference, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Police Department Lt. Tony Hazelett confirmed that McGee was wanted for the Weekes homicide in the 1500 block of Lewis Street on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä East End.Ìý
On July 1, officers found Weekes, 20, of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, lying in an alley at the eastern end of Lewis Street with multiple gunshot wounds. Weekes was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
A police investigation found that Weekes was walking toward the front of a residence in the 1500 block of Lewis Street when he brandished a firearm and began shooting at the residence. A person inside the residence returned gunfire and fatally struck Weekes.
Next Steps
Police are continuing investigations on both the July 1 homicide and the Wednesday shooting.Ìý
In the St. Albans incident, McGee is potentially facing 13 counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, but police say he could face further charges as the investigation precedes. Court records indicate he is currently in South Central Regional Jail in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä with no bail set.
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