HINTON, (Hinton News) – Local police were called to an alleged altercation involving a firearm between multiple individuals in downtown Hinton on Sunday, Jan. 29. At the conclusion, one individual was charged.
According to the criminal complaint, the dispute was over a stove that the victim and other individuals were moving out of a residence. An officer arrived at the scene and reportedly removed a Taurus .380 from one of the individuals, Edward Lilly, 77, of Hinton. The officer then spoke to the victim, who allegedly stated Lilly had arrived at the residence and exited his vehicle with said firearm. The victim further alleged that a verbal altercation occurred during which Lilly made a threatening comment. According to the criminal complaint, the victim stated Lilly said he would “blow a hole” through them.
Additionally, the officer spoke with the other individuals at the scene. One person reportedly advised the officer that their father had been renting the property before passing away, and they were there to move some of his belongings out. The stove in question was one of the items the family was moving.
The criminal complaint states that both sides claimed to own the stove.
When the officer spoke with Lilly, he reportedly stated that he only pulled the firearm when the victims allegedly sat down the dolly holding the stove and advanced toward him.
After the altercation ended, Lilly was charged with Brandishing a Deadly Weapon. West Virginia code states, “It shall be unlawful for any person armed with a firearm or other deadly weapon, whether licensed to carry the same or not, to carry, brandish or use such weapon in a way or manner to cause, or threaten, a breach of the peace.” At the time of writing, Lilly is not incarcerated.
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