Tanner James Talbott, 23, was shot dead on the evening of March 15, 2024, at Blue and Gray Flag Park near the Philippi Covered Bridge in Barbour County, West Virginia. First responders found Talbott on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was a 2018 graduate of Philip Barbour High School, completed the welding program at the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center, and worked as a shift foreman at Leer South Mining. He is survived by a daughter, his fiancée, his parents, and a brother.

Investigators focused quickly on 26-year-old Michael Mussi of Elkins as a suspect. The criminal complaint says Mussi believed Talbott was involved with his wife, contacted Talbott’s fiancée the night before about his work schedule, then followed Talbott after his shift at Arch Coal to the park. Witnesses reported two pickup trucks entering the park at high speed, both drivers exiting, and that Mussi opened fire; witnesses said he made an obscene gesture at Talbott before fleeing in a dark-colored Toyota Tacoma.

A manhunt led to Mussi’s capture the next morning along a state route in the Beech Lick area; he was armed and threatening self-harm when deputies took him into custody after a deputy de-escalated the situation. He has been charged with first-degree murder and is held without bond. If anyone witnessed the shooting or saw the vehicles that night, please come forward with information.