Dangerous weekend in Mercer County, as two shootings occur on the same night

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – It was a scary weekend in Mercer County, as two different shootings happened on the same night.

M.T. Hatfield, the Detective Corporal at Mercer County Sheriff’s Department said, “Friday, at approximately 11:00 P.M., I got a report of shots fired right there in the area of U.S. Route 19 over in Bluefield. Throughout the investigation, it was learned that an individual was shot and was later pronounced deceased.”

After about an hour or two, yet another shooting happened on Kee Street in Princeton.

While it was not exactly a safe weekend, Detective Corporal Hatfield told 59News how the Sheriff’s Department is combatting the issue of gun violence. “There’s been a little bit of a rise in gun violence here within the last couple of years within Mercer County and within the state and this country,” said Hatfield. “We are doing everything we can, as far as submitting evidence [and] tracking guns to keep a hold on it that way. To stay safe, be aware of your surroundings. Be vigilant, to a degree, and just pay attention.”

Hatfield also commented there is no need for citizens to worry and that this week will be treated like business as usual.

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