Three U.S. Marshals shot serving warrant in West Virginia

[MikeG]

"Immediately upon entry into the residence, three Deputy U.S. Marshals were fired upon by a shotgun blast and struck," he said in a statement.

Two of them were taken to a local hospital for treatment while the third was transported by helicopter.

Hope it turns out okay. The DUSM's and their task forces seem to have been taking it on the chin lately. Article didn't mention suspect info. Hopefully DRT and no one else has to bother with him.


U.S. Marshals shot serving warrant in West Virginia - Yahoo! News

[Switchback]

1 DUSM dead, 2 injured. It's my understanding that the bandit is dead.

[greg72982]

RIP, why does it seem like they are always taking at least one of us with them anymore...

[Switchback]

http://yourwvabc.com/story.cfm?func=...&storyid=94425

One U.S. Marshal Killed, Two Injured in Elkins Shooting
Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2011 ; 10:04 AM | View Comments | Post Comment
Updated Wednesday, February 16, 2011; 03:11 PM

Three deputy marshals were shot. A deputy and the suspect were killed.

ELKINS -- Authorities with several different law enforcement agencies were called to the scene of a fatal shooting in Elkins.

At about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputy U.S. Marshals were trying to serve an arrest warrant on Charles Smith, 50, at his house on Central Street, according to officials.

When they entered the home, Smith shot one deputy, in the neck. A second deputy was shot in the shoulder with a shotgun. The third deputy received facial injuries from shrapnel from the shotgun, Federal Magistrate Judge John Kaull said.

A deputy marshal and a state trooper returned fire, killing Smith, state police officials said.

Two of the deputies were taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, where they underwent surgery. One of the deputies died at the hospital, according to Kaull. The other deputy made it through surgery and officials with the U.S. Marshals said they hope for a full recovery.

The third deputy was taken to Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, where he was treated and released.

Smith was armed with both a .45 caliber handgun and a shotgun, Kaull said.

Judge Kaull issued the warrant for Smith, who was wanted on Federal drug charges, early Wednesday morning, he said.

In 2006, Smith was indicted by a Federal grand jury on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Marshals had been looking for Smith since March 2010, according to the search warrant.

On Feb. 10, an Elkins police officer saw a man matching Smith's description, near the house on Central Street, the warrant described. The officer informed the deputies, who then filed the search warrant, Tuesday. You can read the full warrant at the link below.

Smith had lived in the house for about a year, neighbors said.

Authorities have blocked off the streets surrounding the house.

The state police, the FBI, U.S. Marshals and the Randolph County Sheriff's Department are on the scene.

The Elkins Fire Department also responded.

Colonel T. S. Pack, the superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, issued the following statement: “Everyday, families of law enforcement officers live with the fact that their loved one may not return home following a shift of work. Today, we are experiencing that sad reality here in West Virginia. The senseless killing of a Deputy United States Marshal weighs heavy upon the heart of the West Virginia State Police family. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, friends, and co-workers. May God provide comfort and understanding to all of us during this time of grieving.”

[marinepilot]

Prayers sent to all...

[DntTrdOnMe]

Rest In Peace

[Switchback]

<sigh>
He was just a kid.Link here.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Killed In Shooting Was 24-Year-Old Recent Academy Grad
Ryan J. Reilly | February 16, 2011, 4:33PM


The deputy U.S. Marshal who was killed while serving an arrest warrant on a residence in Elkins, West Virginia this morning was a 24-year-old who graduated from the U.S. Marshals Academy just over a year ago.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller of Bridgeport, W. Va., had worked for the U.S. Marshals Service's Clarksburg office since his graduation just over a year ago from the U.S. Marshals Academy, spokesman Jeff Carter told reporters in an e-mail.

"Hotsinpiller was among several Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Northern District of West Virginia, who, along with members of the West Virginia State Police and The Mountain State Fugitive Task Force were serving an arrest warrant on Charles E. Smith at 319 Central Street in Elkins," Carter said.

"Smith, 50, was wanted on a charges related to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and felon in possession of a firearm," Carter said. "Immediately upon entry into Smith's residence, three Deputy U.S. Marshals were fired upon by a shotgun blast and struck. Deputies returned fire on Smith and he was shot dead on the scene."

The U.S. Marshals Service is not releasing the identities of the injured deputies at this time, Carter said. The FBI and West Virginia State Police are investigating the shooting.

Hotsinpiller was the first deputy U.S. Marshal to die in the line of duty from gunfire since 1992, when William Degan was killed at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The last U.S. Marshals-related death from gunfire took place on Jan. 4, 2010 when Court Security Officer Stanley W. Cooper was killed in Las Vegas. Those figures do not include local task force officers who are from other law enforcement agencies but and are given special deputation.

Two other shootings involving U.S. Marshals personnel took place last month, one in St. Petersberg, Fl. and the other in Miami.

Late Update: Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement:

"Today's shootings in Elkins, West Virginia, demonstrate yet again the danger that our nation's law enforcement officers confront on a daily basis. This morning, while attempting to serve a felony arrest warrant, three Deputy United States Marshals were met with gunfire from a dangerous fugitive who was eventually killed. In fulfilling their critical duties, these courageous Deputies put their lives on the line and put the safety of others above their own.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller, who made the ultimate sacrifice today, and with the two Deputies who were injured in the line of duty. Their valiant actions and their service to our nation will not be forgotten, and the Justice Department's ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of all those who serve in law enforcement will continue to be a top priority."

[retdetsgt]

Damn it!

[InternBoy]

Feb. 16, 2011

One U.S. marshal was killed, and two others were
wounded in a raid on a home in Elkins, W. Va., this
morning. One of the wounded officers remains
hospitalized. The third was treated and released.

The raid began at 8:30 Wednesday morning. The
three deputy marshals were attempting to arrest
Charles E. Smith who was wanted on cocaine charges. A
s the marshals made their move, according to
authorities, someone inside fired a shotgun blast.

The marshal who was fatally wounded was identified
as Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller, 24, of
Bridgeport, W. Va., who had worked for the U.S.
Marshals Service for slightly over a year. The two
wounded officers were not identified.

The suspect, Smith, 50, was also killed as in the
incident.

Hotsinpiller's death comes less than a day after a U.S.
immigration and customs enforcement agent (ICE)was
shot and killed in Mexico, along with another agent
who was wounded.


I didn't know DUSM Hotsinpiller, but I work with a bunch of folks who went to the academy with him. I do know a guy who was on scene when it happened. Sad day for everyone involved...its the first Deputy to be killed by gunfire since Ruby Ridge back in '92.

[MikeG]

Prayers sent.

[Kimble]

<sigh>
He was just a kid.Link here.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Killed In Shooting Was 24-Year-Old Recent Academy Grad
Derek Hotsinpiller

DUSM Hotsinpiller was my age when I became a cop, what a sh!tty situation to die so young at the hands of a POS. RIP, bro!

[nyctrainer8]

My whole office stopped for a minute when we heard the news. 3 of our guys were in his academy class. I only knew him a little, but I can assure you that he will be missed. There have just been way too many of these lately.

[Switchback]

DUSM Hotsinpiller was my age when I became a cop, what a sh!tty situation to die so young at the hands of a POS. RIP, bro!

Yeah, I remember being a young 24 year old DUSM like it was yesterday, not thinking I ever looked that young (but knowing I did). What a loss... I sit here, thinking of his family, knowing it is hardest for those that live on with the grief.

[Motorolanut]

Please pray for my friends and a fellow FLEO that was killed while attempting to serve a Federal Warrant in Elkins WV this morning.

Three USMS Deputies were shot, one died and the other two hospitalized.

My Friend, Deputy Derek Hotsinpillar was shot and killed. He is survived by his mother and his older brother who is detective with the local city police.

One U.S. Marshal Killed, Two Injured in Elkins Shooting - WBOY-TV - WBOY.com
5 NEWS UPDATE: Deputy U.S. Marshal Killed, Identified

Its been a horrible day gang for our brothers in blue here in WV.

[bluelightzgrl]

My whole office stopped for a minute when we heard the news. 3 of our guys were in his academy class. I only knew him a little, but I can assure you that he will be missed. There have just been way too many of these lately.

Two of the guys I work with were classes before and after him.

Yeah, I remember being a young 24 year old DUSM like it was yesterday, not thinking I ever looked that young (but knowing I did). What a loss... I sit here, thinking of his family, knowing it is hardest for those that live on with the grief.

When I heard his age, I thought of where I was at that age. Fresh off active duty, a new mom and working on my first PD application process. 24 is too young to be taken...Any age is the wrong age to go out like this. Then I thought of his parents and brother (also a cop)...