Gunfire incident near Kanawha County elementary school believed to be from nearby hunter

DAWES, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Kanawha County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of gunfire near Sharon Dawes Elementary School early Friday morning.

Around 7:45 AM, maintenance staff at the school reported hearing gunshots and pellets striking the building’s roof.

School officials immediately placed the building on lockdown as a precautionary measure.

Deputies, Kanawha County School Security, West Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals, and other authorities swiftly secured the area, searching for any potential suspects.

Authorities believe the shots originated from nearby woods and could be related to hunting activity, as hunting season recently began. The police deployed a helicopter to assist in the search.

Officers later detained several hunters for questioning. While no charges have been filed and it is unclear who fired the shot, shotgun pellets were found on the school’s rooftop, and several weapons were collected for further investigation.

Though the school is not believed to be at further risk, it was closed for the day, and students were sent home.

The investigation remains ongoing, with both the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia Natural Resources Police involved.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office at 304-357-0169.