A dispute between neighbors over cigarettes led to the shooting death of a Raleigh County man.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Raleigh County, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shots fired call on Monday, Oct. 4, at 353 Burmeister Avenue in the town of Raleigh.
When officers arrived on scene, they assisted EMS personnel with loading the shooting victim, Herbert Jeffrey Howerton Jr. into an ambulance. Howerton had been shot in the side.
As he was being loaded into the ambulance, Howerton was able to tell first responders that he had been shot by Joey Meadows, the complaint states. Meadows was later identified at Joey DeWayne Meadows, 56.
At 4:51 p.m. on the same day, Howerton passed away as a result of his injuries, according to the complaint.
During the investigation, officers interviewed Meadows’ girlfriend, Tabitha Templeton, who stated that she had stayed the night at 353 Burmeister Avenue the night before the shooting. She allegedly told officers that she had been in a fight with Howerton Sr. and that he had slapped her.
The complaint continues that she went next door and told Meadows about the altercation, and he left the house. A short time later, Templeton said that she heard two gunshots, ran outside and witnessed Howerton Jr. run from the residence saying he was shot.
In an interview with Howerton Sr., conducted by Raleigh County Sheriff’s Deputies, he allegedly told officers that he had fought with Templeton over cigarettes.
Meadows later admitted to officers that he took the gun out of his pants while at the residence, but stated that it “went off” accidentally, the complaint alleges. Meadows was unable to answer if the gun fired once or twice. Officers were able to recover the gun and two empty shell casings.
Meadows is currently at Southern Regional Jail on one felony count of murder and one felony count of wanton endangerment involving a firearm. No bond has been set.
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