PIPESTEM W.Va. (Hinton News) – According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 18, an officer received a call at approximately 2:40 a.m. to respond to the vicinity of Rock Ridge Bar in Pipestem. While enroute, the officer was reportedly informed that an individual had been shot. When the officer arrived on the scene, he started an investigation.
According to reports, the victim, who has not been identified, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The officer made contact with three witnesses who allegedly named an individual, later identified as Raesan Smith, as one of the suspects in the shooting. Several witnesses also reportedly saw Smith brandishing a firearm prior to the shooting.
A little while later, Smith was hiding inside a vehicle in the parking lot, according to the complaint. Of note is that Smith was reportedly in possession of the same clothes as those described by the witnesses. Smith was then arrested.
The officer interviewed Smith after advising him of his Miranda Rights. Smith reportedly waived his rights. During the interview, Smith allegedly confirmed he discharged his firearm four times. The complaint states that Smith also told the officer that he had been aiming his firearm at another person when the incident occurred. According to the complaint, Smith also said he disposed of the firearm before being arrested. There was a residence within 500 feet of where the firearm was reportedly discharged.
Smith was booked into Southern Regional Jail; however, at the time of publishing, Smith is no longer listed as an inmate at SRJ.
