Bridgeport Police were involved in helping apprehend a Taylor County man inside municipal limits that was involved in an alleged afternoon stabbing, according to Officer Bart Sayers.
According to various media reports, the stabbing took place on Piedmont Avenue in Grafton. The incident took place at 4 p.m. and the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle. Eventually, that vehicle crossed the Taylor County line into Harrison County before hitting Bridgeport where multiple agencies joined law enforcement from Taylor County in pursuit.
WBOY is reporting the man's name is John Edward Simpson.
The individual was apprehended just prior to 5 p.m. on State Route 131, or Benedum Drive. The area in question was near the Bridgeport Cemetery and near the State Route’s intersection with U.S. Route 50.
“There were several warrants for him,” said Sayers. “We handled the transport of him to the North Central Regional Jail.”
Sayers said Bridgeport Police became involved when a “Be on the Lookout” alert went out for the suspect’s vehicle that was reportedly headed east on U.S. Route 50 due to the stabbing. Sayers said the BOLO indicated the vehicle was last spotted heading at the direction, which meant it was highly possible it was heading into Harrison County.
“We had patrols in the area for search purposes and Lt. (Doug) Betler located the vehicle and managed to get behind it,” said Sayers. “(Betler) tried to stop the vehicle and the vehicle didn’t stop, which led to a short pursuit on Route 50 eastbound.”
The chase ended up seeing the suspect leave his vehicle across from the Bridgeport Auto Mart on U.S. Route 50. Sayers said the suspect then fled on foot.
“We had set up for K-9 to come in to assist after the suspect fled on foot and it was likely less than 10 minutes later when a Deputy U.S. Marshal driving through the area spotted the suspect on the run,” said Sayers.
Once the Marshal spotted the suspect, all agencies saturated the area on foot. Sayers said it was within minutes that the suspect was apprehended.
“He was under the influence of alcohol and was charged with DUI and fleeing,” said Sayers. “There are likely going to be more charges relating to the stabbing in Taylor County, but I don’t have that information. He was, as mentioned, facing several charges already in both Harrison and Taylor Counties.
Sayers confirmed the suspect was a 31-year-old white male from Taylor County. Simpson is shown on the North Central Regional Jail Web site as being 31 years of age.
Bridgeport Police were joined by the U.S Marshals, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia State Police.
According to WDTV, Grafton City Police are investigating and they would release more information in the morning. WBOY reported that two individuals needed to be flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital, while a child required transport to Grafton City Hospital. WBOY said that transport was for evaluation.
Check those Web sites for additional information as it becomes available.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the suspect, far left, being taken to a cruiser by a member of the West Virginia State Police as Bridgeport Lt. Doug Betler assists. Bottom photo shows the multiple police units involved and the area where the suspect was apprehended. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.
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