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W.Va. shooting suspect’s life in shambles, had criminal history

By Miles Layton jmlayton@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A West Virginia man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend and three others and himself may have experienced emotional turmoil in the hours before and after his alleged crimes.

Authorities said the suspect, Jody Hunt, 39, of Westover allegedly killed four people Monday before turning a gun onto himself in rural Monongalia County, W.Va. As Hunt was being pursued by police, he posted frequently to social media about his love life, business dealings and more.

“I’m so sorry for my actions today and the lives I’ve affected,” he posted. “I’m so tired of wrong doers getting by with all of it. Life is short. Love the one you are with.”

According to the Monongalia County 911, reports of a shooting at 7:42 a.m. at Doug’s Towing in Westover. Authorities said Doug Brady, 45, of Westover was gunned down at his business.

As owner of J & J Towing of Westover, Hunt’s business was in competition with Doug’s Towing.

In past months, Hunt was upset that he was not getting towing jobs, so he met with the Monongalia County Commission. To a large degree, area law enforcement agencies employ tow companies on a revolving basis when clearing accidents.

Later in the day as police searched for Hunt, he addressed police’ favorable relationship with Doug’s Towing in one of many posts he made to social media.

Monongalia 911 reported calls around about a shooting around 8:28 a.m. at a residence on Sunset Beach Road at Cheat Lake, W.Va. Authorities said Hunt’s ex-girlfriend, Sharon Kay Berkshire, 39, of Westover and David Frum, 28, of Maidsville, W.Va. were shot and killed.

Later in the day, Hunt posted on social media extensively about his rocky relationship with Berkshire, who he accused of having an affair with Frum and as well as his cousin, Jody Taylor. He also accused Frum of alleged criminal activity.

“I did not choose to have the love of my life to go behind my back and sleep with several guys as she came home to lay her head on my should and say goodnight I love you,” Hunt wrote.

Monongalia County Circuit Clerk’s office said Berkshire had restraining orders against Hunt in 2013 and another one for this year, but both had been terminated.

In one post, Hunt apologized to someone named Lisa for his “shortcomings of running astray.” He wrote that he was “manipulated” by Berkshire and laments that he is sorry for the position he left Lisa in her life.

Deputies responded to a call around 9:57 a.m. of shots fired on Sweat Pea Lane, a few miles outside Morgantown, W.Va. When deputies arrived, they discovered Taylor, 43, had been shot. Taylor was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown where he died from injuries sustained from the gunshot wound, the sheriff’s department said.

Around noon, Hunt posted about his alleged actions to Facebook.

“My actions were not right or were they the actions of those who tried to tear me down and take from me,” he writes. “This was not a plan but a struggle to see that those who strives to hurt me received their fair pay of hurt like I received.”

West Virginia Metronews reported Tuesday that Hunt served prison time after he pleaded guilty to charges that he abducted an ex-girlfriend in 1999. Metronews said in 2001, Hunt began serving five years at Huttonsville Correctional Center in Randolph County, W.Va. for wanton endangerment with a firearm.

While police were searching for Hunt, he posted a long explanation that started around 12 p.m. and again between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. about the things that were going through his head. Hunt discussed the stressed state of his relationships with two women and how thieves had stolen $17,000 from his business. He lamented about how Berkshire’s affairs with Frum and Taylor.

Hunt discusses his legacy via Facebook and hopes that people care for his dogs after his passing.

“I’m sure I will be remembered by not what good I did, but the devastation I caused to a few people’s lives,” he posted around 12:26 p.m. Monday. “I’m sure they won’t be remembered by what bad things they did. I accept my actions were wrong, but in my eyes just. So I will leave this world as others did. May your saddened hearts be replaced for me. Please take care of my dogs.”

The sheriff’s department said Hunt’s body was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head around 7 p.m. on Route 19 between the border of Monongalia and Marion counties in West Virginia.

Dr. Ronald Lobo, a psychiatrist at Chesnut Ridge Counseling services in Uniontown, said he was unable to speak as to the specifics of Hunt’s mindset, but he would discuss matters in general terms about mental illness and suicide as it applies to anyone.

“When someone is experiencing an acute stress reaction, perhaps to problems in a relationship, they can make poor decisions,” said Lobo, who has practiced psychiatry for more than 16 years. “Instead of looking for help or counseling, they take matters into their own hands.”

Lobo said relationship, financial or other problems can affect anyone, so he advises people to reach out for assistance.

“That’s when it is time to seek help,” he said. “If not a professional, maybe talk to a best friend or neighbor about how to cope with a situation. They can seek help for you. Or call a crisis line.”

Lobo said while people may feel so overwhelmed that they seek a way out, suicide is not the answer.

“Suicide is not a way to regain control,” he said. “It’s a poor decision on the part of anyone to act on those impulses.”

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