St. Albans 14-year-old convicted of First Degree Murder

CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 14-year-old out of St. Albans was recently convicted of First-Degree-Murder for the fatal shooting of an employee at a smoke shop .

Kanawha County court documentation indicates that, on January 30, 2024, Kanawha County Deputies responded to Tobacco and Pipe in the Charleston area with regard to a potential robbery.

Upon arriving at the scene of the incident, Deputies observed Caden Martin, the victim, behind the counter having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Further investigation into the situation would reveal that 14-year-old Bre’Juan Laquay Williams-Hampton of St. Albans had entered the shop with a backpack and wielding a handgun. Displaying the gun to the eventual victim, Williams had the employee fill the backpack with store merchandise before firing two shots at him and fleeing the scene, leading to his ultimately having been convicted of First-Degree-Murder.

“This evil act of violence is exactly why West Virginia includes commission of a felony in our First Degree Murder statute. Caden Martin senselessly lost his life as an afterthought by the Defendant,” Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney, Debra Rusnak said of the situation. “It’s a tragic loss for Caden’s family and intolerable to our community.”

Williams-Hampton is scheduled for sentencing with regard to the conviction next month, with the hearing set for October 23, 2024. The shooter faces a maximum penalty of life in prison at a state correctional facility.

The Office of the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney extended their gratitude and commendation to members of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism and investigative efforts.