The cross-state manhunt for 54-year-old David Maynard, a suspect in an Ohio killing and multiple Kentucky carjackings, ended fatally at a West Virginia gas station standoff.
The dramatic events unfolded late Saturday evening at a Speedway in a West Virginia town bordering the Ohio River, putting an end to Maynard’s reign of terror.
Ohio Skilled Hostage Negotiator Faces Maynard
The crucial contact happened when a watchful West Virginia State Police sergeant drove by the gas station and saw Maynard, who had avoided law enforcement in many states.
A State Police Special Response Team and local law enforcement responded right away when Maynard brandished a weapon at the sergeant.
A skilled hostage negotiator from the West Virginia State Police Special Response Team engaged in a tense dialogue with Maynard for an hour and a half. During the standoff, there was a moment of panic when it was suspected that one of the hostages had been shot, but it turned out to be a false alarm.
The negotiator’s efforts resulted in the release of two hostages, but Maynard requested a blanket be placed at the door for the remaining captive. Tragically, the situation took a violent turn as Maynard exited the door and confronted members of the State Police Special Response Team, prompting officers to open fire.
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End of the Line in West Virginia
Maynard, hailing from Ironton, Ohio, succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. Thankfully, the third hostage was safely secured, and no law enforcement officers were harmed during the standoff.
Police Chief Bob Sullivan confirmed that none of the three hostages displayed visible injuries, providing some relief amidst the harrowing events.
The manhunt for Maynard had commenced following a gruesome discovery in Ohio, where authorities found a 29-year-old woman bound and Maynard’s 78-year-old stepfather deceased.
Maynard’s trail of violence extended into Kentucky, where he abducted two women at separate points and stole their cars. Fortunately, one of the victims managed to free herself and summon help.
Maynard’s apprehension marked the end of a cross-state rampage that had gripped the region in fear. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will undoubtedly piece together the details of his criminal spree and its tragic conclusion in West Virginia.
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