Matthew Cochran, 27, of Slab Fork, West Virginia, was shot and killed on December 15, 2019, after an argument inside the family home on the 400 block of Acord Mountain Road. Deputies responding that night found Matthew fatally wounded; the confrontation with his father, Ronnie Eric Cochran, escalated to gunfire and ended Matthew’s life in the house where he lived and supported his young daughter.

Investigators identified Ronnie as the shooter and charged him with first-degree murder and two counts of wanton endangerment. Witnesses, including Matthew’s girlfriend, Rachel McGinnis, said the shooting occurred in front of her and their child and that Ronnie fired in her direction during the incident. Ronnie was initially held without bond at Southern Regional Jail and was later released to strict home confinement, a development that distressed Matthew’s family as they awaited further legal action.

If anyone has information about the events at the Acord Mountain Road home on December 15, 2019, please come forward.