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Suspect shot by Ravenswood officer facing charges

Sheriff: Policeman acted heroically

RAVENSWOOD — A man who opened fire on a Ravenswood Police officer and was shot by the officer is expected to be charged with kidnapping and two counts of attempted murder.

Billy McFarland Jr., 41, of Charleston, is recovering in a Charleston hospital after being shot multiple times Friday by Ravenswood Police Sgt. Seth Fisher, Jackson County Sheriff Tony Boggs said. McFarland allegedly held his estranged wife at gunpoint, then shot at her and the officer, who returned fire.

While the investigation is ongoing, Boggs said there is no indication Fisher did anything inappropriate. In fact, it’s just the opposite, he said, saying the officer acted “heroically.”.

Fisher “performed flawlessly when faced with severe adversity, to say the least,” Boggs said. “There’s no doubt in my mind he saved her (McFarland’s estranged wife) life.”

The incident unfolded Friday when, around 4:15 p.m., a passerby flagged down Fisher to report a vehicle was being driven erratically, Boggs said.

Investigation revealed McFarland had gone to a Ravenswood business and convinced the woman to get into his vehicle, the sheriff said.

When she did, McFarland “locked the doors, produced a handgun and took off,” Boggs said.

Fisher located the vehicle shortly after being notified and attempted to stop it at the intersection of West Virginia 2 and old Route 56, Boggs said.

The woman jumped out while the vehicle was still moving, and McFarland stopped a short distance away.

When he exited the vehicle, Boggs said, McFarland fired a gun multiple times “we believe at both” his estranged wife and Fisher.

“Sgt. Fisher returned fire striking him … multiple times, disabling him,” Boggs said.

The investigation determined McFarland had purchased the gun less than four hours before the incident, which Boggs said indicates he planned to act with “ill intent.”

Because the shooting involved a Ravenswood officer, the county sheriff’s office and the West Virginia State Police were called in to investigate, Boggs said. The Ravenswood Police Department will do its own internal investigation as well.

Ravenswood Mayor Josh Miller and Police Chief Lance Morrison could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

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