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Man shot by police identified

PARKERSBURG – West Virginia State Police on Wednesday identified the person killed Tuesday by a police officer after an incident at the Grand Central Mall.

Killed was Steven Lewis Pfalzgraf, 24, last known address of 604 32nd St., Parkersburg, Sgt. Michael Baylous, a State Police spokesman, said.

The incident happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday, starting in the food court of the mall where two Parkersburg Police officers witnessed someone taking a woman’s purse. They chased after the suspect into the parking lot where an officer attempted to remove the keys from the car, investigators said.

The driver took off, dragging the officer, police said.

After the officer was freed, the driver pointed the vehicle at the second officer, drove forward, at which time the second officer shot at the car, killing the driver.

Charges also are pending against two other people in the car, Baylous said.

The suspect believed to have taken the purse was John Ragalyi of New Matamoras, Baylous said. The other person is his wife, Jenna Ragalyi, also of New Matamoras.

The Ragalyis have been released pending a meeting with Prosecutor Jason Wharton to determine whether felony or misdemeanor charges will be filed, Baylous said. They ran from the car and surrendered to authorities later in the day.

Read the entire story in The News and Sentinel on Thursday.

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