Man charged after allegedly firing weapon at man in Clarksburg and holding him at gunpoint

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A man who is prohibited from having a firearm is accused of shooting toward a victim in Clarksburg.

On July 25, officers with the Clarksburg Police Department responded to a shots fired call at a residence, according to a criminal complaint.

When officers arrived, they spoke with a victim who said he had left the residence of Joseph Kovar, 45, of Clarksburg, and walked to a neighbor’s house, officers said.

While the victim was speaking with the neighbor, Kovar “walked down to the neighbor’s residence, presented a firearm and fired two rounds” and then “escorted [the victim] to the residence at gunpoint,” according to the complaint.

Officers spoke with witnesses to the incident, one of whom stated that “he heard [the victim] state, ‘shoot me,’ at which time the witness stated he heard a pop sound.” Another witness told officers “he heard arguing and then heard a single gunshot” before seeing “Kovar and an unidentified male return to Kovar’s residence,” officers said.

At the scene, officers were able to locate three empty cartridge cases, which were from a 9mm Luger Aguilar. Officers also noted that Kovar is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a domestic battery conviction in 2018, according to the complaint.

Kovar has been charged with wanton endangerment. He is being held in North Central Regional Jail.

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