SANDTON BROWDER

BELLAIRE — A Virginia man is in the Belmont County Jail after his arrest on a murder charge connected with a Thursday night Bellaire shooting death.

Bellaire Police Chief J.J. Watson confirmed that Sandton Browder, 23, was taken into custody for one charge of murder. Browder is currently being held at the Belmont County Jail on $3 million bail, according to the jail website.

The victim’s name has not yet been released, but Watson said the man was 24 years old. He said that police were called to the home around 7 p.m. Thursday after a female resident called 911 reporting gunfire in the home.

Once police arrived, Browder was taken into custody right outside of the home.

On Thursday night, Belmont County Coroner Amanda Fisher confirmed one male fatality and that an autopsy is already being scheduled.

Bellaire Police Department was assisted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Criminal Investigation Unit, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont County Coroner’s Office, Shadyside Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Neffs Volunteer Fire Department, and Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office.