Connect-Bridgeport’s 2017 Top News Stories: #5
By Jeff Toquinto on January 02, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: One of the rare stories outside of Bridgeport that have ever made the final list of top stories. This high speed shooting and officer-involved shooting case kept the community of West Milford and all of Harrison County on high alert for an entire Sunday. Bridgeport's mobile command unit came into play and helped provide a prominent role in apprehending the suspects and ending the matter before anyone could be hurt. Below is the story and the updates that came in that day.
Chief Walker: Three Suspects Involved in West Milford Shooting Currently in Custody of Law Enforcement
By Jeff Toquinto
UPDATE: Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny has confirmed that the suspect that was shot by law enforcement early this morning has died. No further information is available at this time.
UPDATE: In the end, it was a tip from a resident of West Milford that led to the apprehension of three individuals involved in a Columbus, Ohio carjacking that resulted in an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County early this morning.
“A resident was responsible for providing the key tip,” said Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny. “The call that came in said they saw 
the subjects moving through yards on Mill Street in the heart of West Milford.”
the subjects moving through yards on Mill Street in the heart of West Milford.”
After the call was received, officers from multiple agencies on hand converged on the scene. The officers immediately took the white male being sought and the African-American female into custody in the Mill Street area.
The third suspect initially got away. That suspect was the lone suspect that law enforcement had been able to identify. Jabraelyn Antonio Bunn was apprehended a short time later. Matheny said law enforcement is working on the identities of others involved in the case.
A fourth suspect was taken into custody this morning. He was shot by Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputies. There has been no official word on that individual’s condition.
“We had more than 100 emergency service responders involved. It’s too early to know how many, but it is one heck of an effort by all 
involved,” said Matheny.
involved,” said Matheny.
Matheny had nothing but praise for the diligence – and kindness – of the West Milford community in southern Harrison County. He said the people helped out in every way imaginable, including the tip that led to the apprehensions.
“The entire community, the mayor … the Council people and more. Dollar General opened up their store to us, the church was helpful and the Post Office let us set up in their parking lot,” said Matheny. “We had people bringing us food and drinks. It was unbelievable to see and really heartwarming to see as well. We’re very thankful.”
Matheny also offered thanks to the other agencies involved. Local, federal, and state groups assisted.
“There are too many to mention without accidentally leaving someone out,” said Matheny. “Their work paid off and it is appreciated. I’m very proud of this operation.”
Matheny said detectives are working on the case right now and determining the charges that will be filed. He added that the three apprehended will be charged and transported to the North Central Regional Jail pending arraignment.
UPDATE: Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker has confirmed that all three suspects involved in a Columbus carjacking that led to a shooting in the West Milford area are in custody. No further information has been released. Updates will be provided if, and when, they become available.
UPDATE: Police have released a new photo and the identify of one of the suspects. The suspect is Jabraelyn Antonio Bunn. He stands 6'2 and weighs 175 pounds. The posed photo below is courtesy of the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles.
ORIGINAL: A carjacking that took place in Columbus, Ohio has turned into a major situation in Harrison County, according to Sheriff Robert Matheny. 
Now, local law enforcement - including the Bridgeport Police Department - are on a manhunt for three 
individuals. A fourth individual is in custody after being shot by law enforcement.
Now, local law enforcement - including the Bridgeport Police Department - are on a manhunt for three individuals. A fourth individual is in custody after being shot by law enforcement.
“We have three suspects that could be possibly armed and dangerous on the loose here in the West Milford or southern Harrison County area,” said Matheny.
Matheny was able to give descriptions on the trio on the loose. The suspects include an African-American female that is light skinned, a white male and an African-American male.
According to Matheny, the Harrison County 911 received a call early this a.m. regarding a vehicle heading south on Interstate 79 that had been identified as the car in question by a license plate reader near the Nutter Fort and Stonewood area off of Interstate 79.
“That indicated the vehicle was wanted in relation to an armed carjacking from the Columbus, Ohio area,” said Matheny.
After the call, a sheriff’s cruiser with two deputies encountered the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop. Matheny said that at first the vehicle stopped, but then took off and that resulted in a high speed pursuit all the way to the Lost Creek exit off of Interstate 79’s southbound lane.
“At that time the vehicle got turned around and traveled directly at the pursuing cruiser. The deputies avoided that collision and then ended up behind the suspect vehicle again on Route 270 where multiple shots were fired from the suspect vehicle at the deputies that were pursuing that vehicle,” said Matheny.
Matheny said that, at that time, the deputies did not return fire. However, they did continue to pursue.
“The pursuit ended on a side street here in West Milford where the suspects vacated the vehicle,” said Matheny. “At this time it was still dark.”
After the suspects fled the vehicle, deputies secured the area and called for additional resources. Groups that responded included the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Bridgeport Police, the Clarksburg Police, the DNR, ATF, the U.S. Marshals and the Greater Harrison Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force. Matheny said he also believes an FBI agent is heading to the scene, while a call was also placed for assistance to the FBI Police at the local CJIS facility.
Matheny said the suspects are on foot.
“We set up a perimeter and started searching that area here in West Milford. Shortly into that search two deputy sheriff’s encountered an individual on the bridge. That individual was later determined to be the suspect in the carjacking from Columbus, Ohio,” said Matheny. “That individual, while he was being taken into custody, pulled a weapon and put the deputies in a position that they fired upon that individual.”
The bridge was in West Milford. It is located on Route 270, just below the Dollar General in West Milford.
The suspect that was shot is currently in custody. The West Virginia State Police, said Matheny, will handle that investigation as it is an officer-involved shooting. Matheny said two deputies fired their weapons in the incident.
Since then, law enforcement has been doing a grid search and looking through buildings and homes in the area. Matheny is asking the public if they see anything suspicious to contact 911.
“We have a direct line set up,” said Matheny. “The City of Bridgeport’s Mobile Command unit is being used as the command post here in the parking lot of the West Milford Post Office.”
Law enforcement is working with police in Columbus on the case. Check back for updates if and when they become available. Also, visit our news partner WDTV’s Web site for updates as well.
Matheny, Sgt. M.A. Kiddy of the State Police, Chief John Walker of the Bridgeport Police and Chair of the Task Force, and Clarksburg Police Chief Robbie Hilliard were all on scene.
Editor's Note: Photo above the text shows a SWAT vehicle in West Milfrd. The top photo is of a helicopter involved in the search touching down in West Milford, while the next photo shows multiple members of law enforcement beginning to fan out for a house by house search. Those two photos were provided courtesy of Marc Jackson. Next three photos show the wanted suspects in photos that were provided by law enforcement following the press conference held late this morning at the parking lot of the West Milford Post Office. Bottom photo shows Bridgeport Deputy Chief Randy Hartley, sitting, while State Police Sgt. M.A. Kiddy looks on. Hartley and Kiddy were joined by several agencies inside the Bridgeport Mobile Command unit.
