Gilmer County Man Charged After Shots Fired Outside Home With 4 Kids Inside, State Police Say

A quiet stretch of U.S. 33 in Gilmer County turned frightening over the weekend, and now a Normantown man is facing a criminal charge after West Virginia State Police say he fired a pistol outside a home where four children were inside.

Matthew Smith, 48, is charged with wanton endangerment, according to State Police.

What troopers say happened

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Gilmer County 911 dispatchers started getting calls about shots being fired near U.S. 33 West in the Normantown area. Troopers headed out and spoke with a woman at the home.

She told troopers that she and Smith had gotten into an argument about going into town, and that he was yelling at her to hand over her car keys. Her four children were inside the house, crying and screaming, while it happened, according to the account given to police.

The woman told troopers Smith pushed her into the bathroom, then went to a bedroom, grabbed a pistol and threatened to shoot up her car. Police say he then walked outside, with the woman following, and fired roughly four or five rounds toward the hillside before going back in, punching a door and leaving the property on foot.

Shots went past the house

Troopers found 9mm shell casings scattered around the woman's car in the driveway. Based on what they found, investigators determined the shots traveled past the side of the house, where the four children and a disabled woman were inside at the time.

Troopers recovered the pistol back inside the home. They later caught up with Smith as he was walking near the GoMart in Glenville.

Held on cash-only bond

Smith was booked into Central Regional Jail, where he is being held on an $18,000 cash-only bond.

As with any criminal case, the charge against Smith is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.

If you or someone you love is dealing with violence or threats at home, help is available any time, day or night, through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. In an emergency, always call 911.