News / Media Release UPDATE

UPDATE: Monday, May 22, 2023 – The identity of the victim in Saturday night’s shooting which occurred in the 5600 block of Raven Drive in Rand has been identified as Mr. Thomas Lawerance Green IV, 43-years-old of South Charleston. 

Investigators with Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section determined Saturday night’s shooting was a result of a domestic dispute between Green’s wife and her children’s biological father, John R. Hardy, 39-years-old of Institute. Green and his wife had come to Raven Drive to locate her daughter who had lied to her mother about her whereabouts.  Green and his wife encountered Mr. Hardy at the location and a verbal altercation broke out in the street between Green, his wife, and Mr. Hardy which rapidly escalated. Investigators reported that as the dispute escalated Mr. Green pulled a handgun on Mr. Hardy and attempted to fire a round when the weapon malfunctioned. Mr. Hardy was also carrying a handgun and produced that weapon once Mr. Green brandished his gun. Multiple rounds were fired by Hardy, striking Mr. Green numerous times. Mr. Green was fatally injured from the fired shots.

Mr. Hardy remained at the scene until law enforcement arrived and then cooperated with investigators. Based on the evidence collected at the scene and statements from all the involved parties, it is believed that Mr. Hardy may have shot Mr. Green in self-defense after Mr. Green initially brandished a firearm. The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Office is reviewing the details of this case and examining forensic evidence collected at the scene. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed against Mr. Hardy.

This is still an active investigation and prosecutors will be working in conjunction with investigators to review all forensic evidence before a final determination is made regarding any violations of the law and/or criminal charges.

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(original release)

Shooting

Rand, WV- On Saturday, May 20, 2023, just after 9:30 p.m., Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to investigate a shooting incident in the 5600 block of Raven Drive in Rand. 

Multiple Kanawha County Deputies arrived in the area where they found a male who had been shot in the street.  The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.  

Investigators with Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Section responded to the scene and detectives have learned a verbal altercation took place in the street and that disturbance escalated to shots being fired. The deceased male is believed to have been involved in that disturbance and another male who is also believed to have been involved has been detained by deputies.

At this time the scene is very active and there will be street closures in the area for several hours as detectives process the scene. The identity of the involved parties and victim is still under investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available. There is no current threat to the safety of the public.

If anyone has any information or video surveillance from the surrounding area that could be helpful to investigators, please contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section.

Should you have any information regarding this case, please contact Lieutenant S.D. Snuffer at Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, 304-357-0169 or submit a “tip” at www.kanawhasheriff.us under the “Tips” tab.