Man Found Shot In East Wheeling

By SHELLEY HANSON
WHEELING — A man was found shot on the second floor of an East Wheeling dwelling Friday evening.

Wheeling police Chief Kevin Gessler said the man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He did not know his condition or where he was wounded. The man’s identity would not be released until family members were notified, he said.

Gessler said detectives still were trying to determine whether the man shot himself or if another person pulled the trigger. He refused to disclose whether a gun was found at the scene, 195 15th St.

But Gessler did say neighbors in the area should not be worried because the shooting occurred inside the dwelling.

About 6 p.m., someone called 911 and said an individual had been shot at the house, Gessler said. However, when officers arrived at the scene, only the injured man was found.

Gessler said he did not know who owns the house, which appears to be under repair. A building permit notice is posted on its facade.

“There are some remnants of smoking and drinking,” Gessler said, noting it was not clear if any illegal drug use had taken place.

“We can’t rule out if the shot was self-inflicted or not,” he said.

Neighbors in the area said they did not hear any gunshots prior to police arriving. One woman said the house was a frequent hot spot for late night partying. At 2 a.m. and earlier, people often would exit the house and walk out into street yelling loudly, she noted.

Another woman said she had just moved into the neighborhood and noted she was so upset, she was leaving to get a drink to calm her nerves.

“I didn’t hear any shots. We were just looking at a Fingerhut catalogue,” the woman’s friend said.

Siblings Erica and Josh Strawn have lived on 15th Street for many years. The house, they said, has been a favorite for police to keep tabs on. “There are always people running in and out. They have a certain knock they do at the basement door. ... I don’t know who they are,” Erica Strawn said.