Officers responded to a call about a man discharging a firearm around 3:50pm. Officers arrived and found Caperton clinging to an antenna pole and allegedly waving a firearm. After communications with Caperton were ineffective, Caperton allegedly pointed the firearm in the direction of officers, who then shot Caperton.
Agency: West Virginia State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Ranson City Police Department
Motive: Shooting
Confrontation Type: Violent Crime
Service Call: Yes
Body Camera: no
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: Earl Robert Caperton
Death Date: December 10, 2020
County: Jefferson
Geography: Rural
Gender: Male
Age: 55
Race: White
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: not fleeing
Washington Post Database ID: 6417