On August 14, 2021 Deputies with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a shooting that occurred on Clayburn Drive in Cross Lanes, WV. A man was taken to an area hospital by a family member after he was shot in the chest, prompting a 911 call. Afterwards, Deputies located the scene and began their investigation.
Deputies learned the victim, Jason Lycans, had a dispute about a debt with James Mathis (26 years old of Huntington, WV). Deputies developed probable cause to charge Mr. Mathis with wanton endangerment, a felony, for which he was arrested on September 21, 2021 by the WV State Police in Wayne County, WV.
Detectives with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) task force, and resources with the Department of Homeland Security in their investigation. As is always the case in criminal matters, the charge against Mr. Mathis is merely an accusation. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.