FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Recently released details from an April shooting in Fairmont reveal the incident involved the kidnapping of an unidentified Morgantown man.
On April 27, Kenyatta Ephraim, 29, of Elyria, Ohio, allegedly fired five times from inside a car on Maple Avenue at the victim, who was standing near a vehicle. Three rounds hit the car, and another hit the rear window and rifled into a home nearby occupied by two adults and two children.
Police said Ephraim, Tyreese Taylor, 29, of Lorain, Ohio, and a third suspect kidnapped a man from a home in Morgantown and took him to Fairmont prior to the shooting incident.
While being held, the trio demanded money and forced the victim to contact a family member in Morgantown.
The shooting happened while the victim remained in custody as the family member went to the Maple Avenue address in Fairmont.
Both Ephraim and the family member were treated for gunshot wounds at a local hospital.
Ephraim has been in the North Central Regional Jail since the April incident, charged with attempted murder and use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Taylor was taken into custody Wednesday after an incident in Morgantown and charged with attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping, and use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The U.S. Marshal Service is searching for the third suspect, identified as James Ray Jones, who was driving the car during the Morgantown incident on Wednesday. Jones is considered armed and dangerous; he is 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 162 pounds.
Information about Jones can be left by calling 304-623-0486.