Sissonville shooting leaves man shot after suspected knife attack

Authorities process the scene of a fatal shooting in Sissonville on Tuesday afternoon.

In what appeared to be act of self defense, a man shot and killed another man in Sissonville on Tuesday afternoon

Tracy Stalnaker, 53, armed himself with a knife and chased the other man, who in turn shot and killed Stalnaker, said Sgt. Brian Humphreys, a spokesman for the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

Police didn’t initially name the shooter, who as of yet has not been charged in the incident.

The shooting unfolded outside Smitty’s Auto Parts, located on Wolf Pen Drive.

Stalnaker died at the scene, Humphreys said.

“No one is in custody,” he said. “There is no ongoing danger.”

Stalnaker’s family members gathered at a home down the street. At least one lives in the neighborhood, and another said Stalnaker suffered from mental illness. 

He allegedly got into an altercation at a nearby bar about 15 minutes before his death.

Holding a tall Budweiser can, he walked into Raw Bar II, said Debbie Carpenter, the bar manager.

Carpenter said she told the Stalnaker to get rid of his beer. When he returned, the manager noticed a long knife in his waistband. 

She later realized Stalnaker had several knives around his waist. He at one point threatened the bar owner, a knife in each hand, Carpenter said. 

“He was never right, but today he was really messed up in the head,” she said.

Read the complete article: WV | Gazette