1 killed after shooting near Philippi Covered Bridge in Barbour County

Update: At approximately 8:00 am this morning Law Enforcement was notified of a suspicious person in the Beech Lick area of WV Route 57.

Deputy C. Whited of the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department observed a male subject in said area who fit the description of the suspect in Fridays homocide in Philippi.

Deputy Whited had a brief standoff with the subject, however Deputy Whited was able to de-escalate the situation and take Michael Mussi into custody without further incident.

Members from the investigating agency Philippi Police Department, West Virginia State Police , and other Deputies from Barbour County Sheriff’s Department arrived moments later to assist.

We would like to thank the citizens of Barbour County for your information and tips that led to this arrest, and working together to make our County safe.

Original Report:

Officials from the Philippi Police Department have shared additional details with Channel3 NOW regarding the fatal shooting near the Philippi Covered Bridge on Friday.

According to Lieutenant Dustin Cale and Chief Shane Miller, the Philippi Police Department received a report of shots fired around 5 p.m. near Blue and Gray Flag Park, indicating that one individual was found lying on the ground.

Witnesses reported seeing a dark blue or dark gray Toyota Tacoma with a dog box in the bed leaving the scene.

These reports assisted law enforcement in identifying the suspect as Michael Mussi.

The victim has been identified as Tanner Talbott.

Officials stated that law enforcement is actively searching for Mussi across Upshur, Barbour, Randolph, and Tucker counties and emphasized that he is considered armed and dangerous.

While no motive behind the incident was provided, the West Virginia State Police Crime Team and the West Virginia Medical Examiner are present at the scene.

Teams from the Barbour County Office of Emergency Management, Philippi Police Department, Barbour County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Virginia State Police all mobilized in response to the incident.

Residents of Tucker and Randolph County should be vigilant as the suspect, Michael Mussi, was potentially sighted in the Montrose area, reportedly heading towards Tucker.

Officials stressed the importance of promptly contacting 911 upon sighting a vehicle fitting this description and advised against approaching it.

Law enforcement, including WVSP and county units, is actively searching both areas.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.