Police: Lewisburg incident is case of "suicide by police officer - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Police: Lewisburg incident is case of "suicide by police officer"

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By Douglas Fritz - email

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LEWISBURG -

A news conference was held by the West Virginia State Police on Tuesday, Jan. 8 to release information about an incident that happened in Lewisburg on Monday.

Troopers said that Jimmy Hamlin, 44, of Kathleen, Ga. was shot an killed on Route 219 on Monday, Jan. 7.

Hamlin was apparently living with his girlfriend on the west end of Lewisburg.  Lewisburg Police were looking for Hamlin after he was reportedly in a fight with his girlfriend.  They were looking for a red pick up truck.  Police reportedly found Hamlin on Route 219 near Shoney's. 

Troopers said that Hamlin had a rifle in the truck and when he got out, he brought the gun with him.  That's when Lewisburg Police Chief Tim Stover said it became a public safety issue.

Police said that Hamlin was told to put his gun down. Hamlin apparently made a threatening gesture, provoking officers and troopers to open fire.

Police said this was a case of "suicide by police officer," which is defined by Wikipedia as

"A suicide method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, with the goal of provoking a lethal response from a law enforcement officer or other legitimately armed individual, such as being shot to death."

Two State Troopers and one Lewisburg Police officer has been put on administrative leave following the incident.  Troopers said this is standard procedure in these cases.

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59 News has learned that one man has been shot along Route 219 in Lewisburg.

We're hearing the situation started out as a traffic stop. State troopers and Lewisburg Police officers remained on scene at the corner of N. Jefferson St. and Coleman Dr. for several hours Monday. Some witnesses report seeing a body on the scene.

There is no word on the condition of the shooting victim.

An e-mail from State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous describes the incident as an officer-involved shooting.

Route 219 was closed, and then turned into a one-lane road for part of the evening.

State police are holding a press conference at 10 a.m. this morning.

59 News will have more information as it becomes available.