(NewsSpace.com) – On Friday, September 8, police were called to an Ironton, Ohio, home with reports of shots fired. When they got there, they found a woman tied up and an elderly man dead. The discovery sparked a two-day manhunt for 54-year-old David Maynard. The suspect is now dead after an encounter with police.
Maynard was wanted by authorities in connection with the death of his stepfather, 78-year-old Donald Wood. While fleeing, he allegedly carjacked two vehicles and abducted two women in Kentucky, one of whom was able to escape and call 911. The manhunt spanned three states: Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, where police finally caught up with Maynard. Police had issued several bulletins, including a shelter-in-place notice in Kenova, West Virginia.
The suspect stopped at a convenience store in Kenova, where a state trooper recognized him from the notices. Maynard pointed his weapon at the officer. That was the beginning of a hostage situation that would last 1.5 hours and end with Maynard dead.
The suspect held three people hostage at gunpoint in the store. The West Virginia State Police Special Response Team showed up and attempted to negotiate with him. Maynard eventually let two of the hostages, both customers, go but kept the third inside. When he requested a blanket and stepped outside to get it, police shot him. The authorities then rescued the third hostage. All three were physically okay, despite initial reports saying one had been shot and injured. No officers were injured in the standoff or subsequent shooting.
Authorities transported Maynard to a local hospital, but he died of his injuries. So far, it’s not clear what the motive is for the killing in Ohio. The police refused to comment further on the story, citing an ongoing investigation. They did mention, however, that Maynard had served time before — for murder, according to Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson.
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