Parkersburg shooting results in four arrests, drugs seized
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PARKERSBURG -- Investigation of a shooting Saturday resulted in the arrests of four people, including the victim.
Parkersburg Police officers were dispatched shortly after 8 a.m. to an apartment in the 1600 block of Tygart Street for a report of a shooting with injuries, a release from the Police Department said. At the scene, officers heard yelling and screaming and found Robert Aguilar, 27, of Parkersburg, "suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to a lower extremity," it said. He was taken to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center for his injuries.
Detectives were called to the scene to investigate. After officers conducted a canvas, the suspected shooter was determined to be Aaron Luke Cross, 27, of Parkersburg, Aguilar's roommate at the apartment, the release said.
A search warrant was obtained for the department and approximately 4 grams each of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine were discovered, along with "items used commonly in the sale and distribution of controlled substances," the release said. This resulted in Aguilar being charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
As the investigation continued, it was learned Cross might be hiding with family and acquaintances at a location in the 900 block of 19th Street. Officers made contact with residents there, but two individuals physically refused to allow officers inside and were taken into custody, the release said.
Lisa Lynn Watson, 49, of Parkersburg, was charged with battery of a police officer and obstructing an officer, while Alexus Kay Steakley, 20, was charged with obstructing an officer.
After obtaining a search warrant, uniformed officers, detectives and members of the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force made entry and found Cross hiding in the basement. He was taken into custody around 5 p.m. and charged with felony counts of wanton endangerment with a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
During a search at the Wood County Holding Center, Steakley was found to have hidden "a substantial amount of suspected fentanyl on her person," the release said, resulting in charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and transporting a controlled substance into a jail or correctional facility.
Three of the suspects were arraigned in Wood County Magistrate Court. Aguilar was released on a $100,000 surety bond, Watson on a $1,500 bond and Steakley on a personal recognizance bond.
While Ross was being medically evaluated prior to his incarceration, it was determined he needed further observation and he was transported to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, Police Chief Matthew Board said.
According to the release, the investigation recovered 51 grams of fentanyl, 4 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm, as well as approximately $5,000 of cash seized.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com