PENTRESS — The father of a man killed by a Monongalia County Sheriff’s deputy claims the shooting escalated unnecessarily.
“It’s over and my son is dead for no reason,” John Stewart Sr. said Thursday. “He shouldn’t have been shot. No way.”
His son, 46-year-old John Stewart Jr., was killed Wednesday night after allegedly pulling a knife on a deputy who was responding to a 911 call at a mobile home on Mason-Dixon Highway across from Stewart’s Farm & Greenhouse.
Stewart had threatened to stab his sister, Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer announced in a news release.
The unidentified deputy who shot Stewart was placed on paid administrative leave, Palmer said, and three detectives were reviewing the case.
Stewart Sr. told The Dominion Post his daughter called police after trying to kick her brother “Butch” out of his room in the trailer because he owed her $300 in rent. Stewart Sr. said he went to the trailer to calm everyone down. He described his daughter as a yeller and said Butch suffered mental problems, including bipolar and schizophrenia.
Upon arrival, the deputy yelled at Butch and went up to the porch, Stewart Sr. said. Butch then approached the deputy and put a finger in the deputy’s face. Stewart Sr. said the deputy tried to mace Butch, but missed.
Palmer confirmed pepper spray was used during the incident.
Palmer said Butch refused the deputy’s commands and pulled a knife, “causing an immediate threat” when the deputy tried to arrest him. “The deputy then discharged a service pistol,” Palmer said.
Stewart Sr. claimed Butch was running away and trying to retreat into the trailer when a “bang bang” rang out. Stewart Sr. said he tried to get to his son, but the deputy told him to stay back. Stewart Sr. said he did not get to see his son and the deputy refused to tell him what was going on. Eventually, a medic conveyed that his son was dead.
“I can’t believe you killed my son for arguing with you!” Stewart Sr. recalled telling the deputy.
Admitting his son could be radical at times, Stewart Sr. said the incident didn’t warrant a shooting. He said Butch drew Social Security and had done odd jobs for cash since returning to the area two years ago.
The father said he’s angry with the deputy and upset that his daughter called 911 over the missing rent.
Stewart Sr. claims he has spoken with his lawyer who will look into the incident.
