Jerry Dale Harlow, 48, of Richwood, West Virginia, was killed in the early morning of December 2, 2014, after an altercation at a residence on Grassy Creek Road in Leivasy, Nicholas County. Deputies were called at about 4:30 a.m.; Harlow was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Harlow and Leivasy resident Kermit Ivan Hammonds were involved in an argument or physical confrontation at Hammonds’ home. Authorities allege Hammonds obtained a rifle during the encounter and shot Harlow. Hammonds was taken into custody the same day, initially on an unrelated charge, and was later charged with murder and held at the Central Regional Jail; a spokesperson said he was too intoxicated to be arraigned immediately.

Anyone who witnessed the confrontation or has information about the events on Grassy Creek Road is asked to come forward.