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PARKERSBURG - A Wood County sheriff's deputy has been cleared in a May shooting that left an armed suspect dead.
Evidence related to the incident was presented to the Wood County Grand Jury during a recent special session, according to a statement from the jury's foreperson released this afternoon along with the indictments of 17 individuals.
"After reviewing the evidence and deliberating, the Grand Jury determined the use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances," the statement says, citing evidence from the investigating trooper with the West Virginia State Police, video evidence, witness statements, photographs, reports and test results.
Miguel Angel Gallegos, 49, of 3408 25th St., Parkersburg, died May 16 after exchanging gunfire with Parkersburg Police and sheriff's deputies. The body of 45-year-old Evelyn Lassend, of the same address, was found inside after Gallegos was shot.
Investigators determined Gallegos shot and killed Lessend prior to officers' arrival at the scene, the statement says.
Police responded to the apartment complex where Gallegos lived for an unknown problem and eventually observed him inside, armed with a pistol, according to previous reports and the foreperson's statement. When he was told to drop the weapon, he began firing on officers, the statement says.
Police requested the assistance of the Wood County Sheriff's Office and its armored vehicle.
"Efforts to secure Mr. Gallegos' peaceful surrender were unsuccessful, and he continued to fire at law enforcement officers," the statement says. Ultimately, a deputy returned fire, "striking Mr. Gallegos and causing his death."
The deputy was not identified in the statement, and officials declined to release the name Monday evening.