Shinnston Man Charged With Murder
{Morgantown, West Virginia}...Police say 29 year old Shannon Stafford, also known as Shannon Mitchell, of Bruceton Mills pulled into the Hornbeck Road Walmart parking lot in Morgantown shortly after 9:30 A.M. Saturday morning to meet a family member. Stafford was still in her car when Larry Mitchell, 54, of Shinnston, her father-in-law, walked up to the car and began firing rounds from a handgun. Stafford opened her car door and attempted to flee, but she was gunned down by Mitchell and died in the parking lot after emergency medical personnel attempted unsuccessfully to revive her. Police say Stafford and Mitchell’s son were in the process of divorcing, and it's believed a custody battle over the couple’s young daughter may have sparked Mitchell’s actions. Mitchell’s son currently has custody of the child. Police have charged Mitchell with murder. He is being held in the North Central Regional Jail.
