News
52-year-old Clyde Crawford wanted for the murder of Sharon Ross and Alexis Beard in Huntington
Anyone with information regarding Crawford’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately, as he should be considered dangerous.
Update: Huntington Police investigators found the body of a deceased white male along the banks of the Ohio River near McClelland Park in Huntington’s Highlawn neighborhood Friday afternoon, March 22, while investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday, March 21, in the 2700 block of North Staunton Road.
Investigators have confirmed that the identity of the deceased white male is that of shooting suspect Clyde Crawford, 52, of Huntington. He appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officers canvassed the area near the shooting scene Friday, and the Huntington Police Department’s Drug Unit conducted surveillance on several possible locations for Crawford and associates of Crawford. The Police Department also coordinated with the Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team from Kanawha and Putnam counties and had an officer from the Saint Albans Police Department fly a drone over the riverbank north of the scene.
Simultaneously, the Police Department coordinated with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department to have a K-9 Team begin tracking a scent from the scene of the shooting. The K-9, a bloodhound named “Bailey”, ultimately led officers to the area of McClelland Park, where the white male’s deceased body was located along the riverbank.
Investigators also have identified the deceased victims of Thursday’s shooting — Sharon Crawford, 51, and Alexis B. Beard, 26. Sharon was the wife of the suspect, Clyde Crawford. The surviving juvenile victim is a 20-month-old female, who is listed in stable condition at a local hospital.
The investigation will continue in an effort to thoroughly document the shooting incident, but no other information will be released at this time.
The Huntington Police Department would like to thank the aforementioned law enforcement agencies as well as the West Virginia State Police, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, ATF and the West Virginia Division of Corrections Probation and Parole Service for all of their assistance.
Original Report:
Sharon Ross and Alexis Beard were fatally shot Thursday evening in East Huntington. Police are searching for Clyde Crawford, 52, identified as the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous. As of late Thursday night, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Officers received reports of a shooting in the 2700 block of North Staunton Road at approximately 5:40 p.m. Thursday, March 21.
Officers discovered a deceased woman inside a residence along with two additional victims of apparent gunshot wounds.
The additional victims, a woman and a juvenile, were transported by Cabell County EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The woman ultimately died from her injuries. The juvenile victim does not appear to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
Officers were eventually able to safely search and secure the entire residence and determined a suspect was not inside.
The investigation thus far has identified Clyde Crawford, 52, of Huntington, as the suspect in the shooting. Crawford’s location is not known at this time.
Anyone with information regarding Crawford’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately, as he should be considered dangerous.
Individuals with other information regarding the shooting should call HPD’s Criminal Investigations Bureau at 304-696-4420, extension 1083. Information also may be left by calling the Anonymous Tip Line at 304-696-4444.
