CHARLESTON W.Va. — In West Virginia, a woman took decisive action to protect a gathering of partygoers when she fatally shot a man who had opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle. The incident occurred during a birthday-graduation celebration outside an apartment complex in Charleston on Wednesday night, according to authorities.
The victim, identified as Dennis Butler, 37, began firing into the crowd, prompting chaos and endangering numerous individuals, as detailed by police in a statement. In response to the imminent threat, the woman, a attendee of the party, drew a pistol and fired, ultimately neutralizing Butler. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the party attendees.
Chief of Detectives Tony Hazelett commended the woman’s bravery, stating, “Instead of running from the threat, she engaged with the threat and saved several lives last night,” in remarks to news outlets on Thursday.
Prior to the shooting, Butler had been observed speeding through the apartment complex where children were playing, authorities reported. Despite warnings to slow down, he departed only to return later and initiate the shooting spree.
Following the fatal encounter, the woman remained at the scene alongside several witnesses, all of whom cooperated fully with law enforcement during the subsequent investigation, according to authorities.
Hazelett confirmed that no charges would be pressed against the woman, emphasizing her actions as a justified response to the immediate danger posed by Butler’s armed assault.
