MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. — Wednesday for the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department was a busy one. A significant crash on I-79 northbound at the I-69 split during the morning commute, a terroristic threat investigation, and an emergency aircraft landing in the western end of the county.

Forbes said at about 2:44 p.m. deputies and other emergency assets responded to a report of an airplane crash in a field south of Core. When first responders arrived on the scene, they determined it was actually an emergency landing with no injuries or property damage.

“What we found when we got there was an airplane that didn’t crash but in fact had landed in a field due to mechanical issues,” Forbes said. “The pilot did a pretty good job of getting the aircraft to the ground with no injuries or property damage.”

Around 11:30 a.m., deputies received a report of a suspect in the county making general threats to people and property. The suspect did not threaten any specific person, place, or facility, according to Forbes.

“We got a report there was an individual making threats against some other citizens in the county—planning to do some harm to some folks,” Forbes said.

Deputies were able to locate and detain the suspect by 1:27 p.m., and the schools were given the “all clear” by 1:30. During the investigation the newly installed School Safety Officers (SSO) were placed in “Code Silver” status.

“A short time later we were able to encounter that individual that was making the threats and detain him without incident.” Forbes said. “That investigation is continuing, and that individual’s name is Austin Hall.”

The five SSOs began duty this year across the district after legislation established the program that resulted in the partnership between the Monongalia County Commission, Sheriff Forbes, and the Monongalia County School system. The SSOs have a mission of security only and are deployed as needed in the district.

“Heighten their awareness is all we did,” Forbes said. “Ask them to bring the kids in off the playground just in case so we could investigate this person and assess the situation a little better.”

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Forbes said it was a typical day and was thankful there were no serious injuries.

“We were blessed to get through that day without anybody even being hurt as far as those incidents go,” Forbes said.