Editor's Note: The Times West Virginian is reporting that the suspect is a current resident of Fairmont. No confirmation on past ties to Bridgeport other than that offered by the Prosecuting Attorney in this article.

 

Four people were killed this morning in Clarksburg as the result of a drug transaction "gone awry,” according to Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Shaffer. The four individuals, killed on Locust Avenue in that city around 4 a.m., may have been killed by a Bridgeport resident.

 

Shaffer said during an afternoon press conference inside of Council Chambers at Clarksburg City Hall that police have in custody 27-year-old Sidney A. Muller of Harrison County. When asked what part of the county in which Muller resided, Shaffer said the last known Harrison County address was Bridgeport.

 

Muller is in custody and has been charged with four counts of first degree murder. A press release from Shaffer’s office states that the “quadruple murder is directly related to drug activity.”

 

As the result of Muller’s alleged actions, 70-year-old Freddy Donald Swiger and his son Fred Swiger, both of Harrison County, were killed as what seems to be innocent bystanders. The Swigers were long-time newspaper delivery men working as independent contractors for Clarksburg Publishing Company.

 

“They were on their paper route at the time. There is no indication that either of the Mister Swigers had anything to do with any of the transactions that may have taken place inside the house that led to the shooting,” said Shaffer.

 

Also killed in the early-morning shooting was Todd Russell Amos, 29, of Clarksburg and Christopher A. Hart, 26, of Clarksburg and a Locust Avenue resident. Hart died in transport to the hospital, Shaffer confirmed.

 

Clarksburg Police and emergency personnel were dispatched immediately to the scene after the 4:30 a.m. call came into Harrison/Taylor County 911. At that time, two individuals – the Swigers – were found dead in the street. Amos was the found dead inside the house by emergency personnel, while Hart was still alive when officials arrived at the residence.

 

Hart’s mother found her son inside his home after hearing gunshots. As he was alive, Shaffer said “he was able to articulate to his mother who the individual responsible for the shooting was.” From that point, the individual was made known to Clarksburg Police. Muller was driving a Buick Verano and was believed to be heading for Marion County.

 

After area law enforcement were advised to be on the lookout for Muller’s vehicle, Marion County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate Muller in White Hall at 5:45 a.m. Shaffer said he was taken into custody due to driving on a suspended operator’s license for a DUI in September of 2012. Also in that same month, Muller was arrested for driving on a revoked license for DUI.

Clarksburg Police Detectives, led by Detective Jason Webber, then headed to Marion County along with police officials went to Marion County to interview Muller. After the interview and based on evidence gathered, detectives were able to go after a complaint for the four counts of first degree murder.

 

“This occurred as a drug transaction that had somehow gone awry,” said Shaffer. “The home that it had occurred in had reportedly had drug activity there in the past.”

 

Clarksburg Police Chief Robbie Hilliard said the mandatory steps were being taken in the investigation. A lot of the work was taking place in Marion County as well as here locally.

 

“Detectives are in Marion County and securing search warrants for the vehicle and also a residence where there suspect fled from and appeared to be leaving town when Marion County Sheriff’s Department stopped him,” said Hilliard.

 

Shaffer said information on Muller was still being gathering. He said it did appear that Muller was a veteran of the United State Marine Corps. He wasn’t certain if Muller was still active.

 

“By all indications he was in the Marine Corps at one time,” said Shaffer.

 

Shaffer said Muller was born in Texas. He wasn’t certain how long he has lived in West Virginia. Various Bridgeport school officials could not confirm if Muller attended or graduated from Bridgeport High School. Although there were several Muller that did go to BHS, there were no pictures of a Sidney Muller in yearbooks dating back to 1999 that could be located.

 

Muller’s arraignment was set for Marion County. Shaffer said he would then be taken to the North Central Regional Jail.