WVSP: Troopers Shoot Man who Drove Toward Them
WVSP: Troopers Shoot Man who Drove Toward Them Save Email Print
Posted: 11:56 PM Dec 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:59 AM Dec 8, 2008
 Reporter: Carrie Jones; Amanda Barren
Email Address: Carrie.Jones@wsaz.com; Amanda.Barren@wsaz.com
48 comments
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UPDATE: Tuesday Evening
ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia State Troopers confirm the man shot during an incident Monday night is Stephen Krein. Troopers said earlier he also ran from police after a traffic stop near Clendenin last week.

Krein is listed in critical condition at Charleston Area Medical Center.

The photo of Krein is from a previous arrest.

UPDATE: Tuesday Morning
ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia State Troopers say they had to shoot a man when he refused to get out of his car and started driving toward them.

They say that man is now in critical condition.

It happened just after 9 Monday night on Route 119 near Ambler Ridge in Roane County.

Troopers say they recognized the suspect from a warrant issued last week and approached the vehicle in a store parking lot.

They say the suspect refused orders to exit the vehicle and began driving toward the officers. That's when one trooper opened fire, striking the suspect in the head.

The suspect was transported by helicopter to CAMC General in Charleston. His name hasn't been released.

State Police say the suspect ran from officers last week. During that incident, three passengers in the vehicle were arrested.


ORIGINAL STORY: Monday @ 11:53pm
WALTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)-- A Shooting outside of a business in Roane County tonight sent one person to the hospital by helicopter.

Roane County 911 dispatchers say it happened off of Route 119 near Ambler Ridge just after 11:00 p.m.

The shooting took place outside of Huffman's store and one person was injured.

Details surrounding how the shooting happened are not being realesed yet.

Dispatchers say one person was flown by Health Net to a local hospital.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the most up to date information.

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Posted by: another wife of trooper on Dec 9, 2008 at 05:13 PM
My husband graduated with Trooper Price. I too worry about my husband every single day he is on the job. When I heard this story, you better believe I told him that if he ever feels his life is in danger he should defend himself at all costs. These men are out there putting their lives on the line every single day, yet they do not get half the respect they deserve. I am praying for all parties involved in the situation and their families.
Posted by: tha goose on Dec 8, 2008 at 09:26 PM
no megan kerin ur husband made the wrong choices and the trooper made the right
Posted by: Megan Krein on Dec 6, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Thanks to everyone for all the support that we have received.All the wrong choices were made that night.Honestly..It was kind of a lose lose situation.My husband did make a wrong move. So did the trooper. Trooper Price really is a good man. So there are no reasons to point fingers at either of them.Im sure the trooper is dealing with it..and never meant to hurt stephen the way he did,so Im praying for both of them. They both need it.So instead of pointing fingers at this person was wrong or this person...try to see it from both sides. What if stephen were your child. or your spouse. Would you be so quick to point a finger then? Peace be with you all.
Posted by: Oh Come ON on Dec 5, 2008 at 06:48 PM
this is insane keep making excuses for him oh he had a good heart, he didn't have a gun i wonder if you were thinking that when he was beating you or if he had killed that trooper or maimed him would you still defend him he is a career criminal. shot him in the arm, shoot the tires come on he was trying tp kill troopers because he thought he was above the law and with no reguard for anyone he was going to whatever he wanted. i bet judging by watching the family they defended him everytime he was wrong" not my boy he has a good heart, he wouldn't do that" Hello he tried twice to run over the police, how many run ins with the police has he had make sure you include when he was a juvenile. so go ahead and arm chair quarterback go ahead and defend his actions and how many times has he put other people in danger by looking at these comments alot. he brought this on himself he knew what he was doing unless he was on drugs but that would make him even more dangerous support the police
Posted by: Friend of a friend on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:14 AM
I do understand what the family is going through and my prayers are with them , But i too what the Troops had to do they are trained to protect them selfs and other's from harm !!! The state police did what they had to do and that was to stop this kid And i have seen the nightmares they go through and this troop will have to live with it the rest of his life if only other's would understand how these men and women put their live's on the line for you and me , I prise them for the job they do
Posted by: viewer on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:15 PM
The bumper sticker says it all "LOWEST CRIME, LOWEST PAY" West Virginia troopers are indeed the finest in the nation.Why is it the criminals have all the rights?Troopers are trained to defend themselves.They must be able to use a firearm or they don't get thru the academy.Troopers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.They have days off, but they can be called out anytime.There is no way the force used in this incident cannot be justified.How on earth can someone even suggest the troopers should have shot the tires out.If they would have tried to shoot the tires out and the truck hit someone head on and someone got injured,we would be reading a posting saying they should not have tried to shot the tires out and should have shot the driver.The troopers involved should receive an award for protecting the public from a treat.It is unfortunate that a young man was critically injured, but the whole situation would have avoided if he would have stopped when he saw the blue lights.
Posted by: workin' for a livin' on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:13 PM
There's video! Let's see it if possible WSAZ. You don't need the point he was shot, only where he attempted to hit the trooper. That should prove who is telling the truth.
Posted by: A Friend on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:26 PM
To the Krein brother.. I understand the pain you are going through, and my prayers go out to your family. But to say that this officer has no guilt about the situation.. you don't know how wrong you are about that. Officers aren't out there searching for situations like this. He did what needed to be done and what was procedure. Your brother was wielding a weapon-- the car he was driving. Something needed to be stopped to keep him from endangering others. That cop will probably feel guilty and have nightmares about that night for the rest of his life.
Posted by: Baby B on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:52 AM
The Battle Hymn of the Republic if you don't
Posted by: Matt on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:28 AM
To Krein Brother... listen, man... I understand it's easy to gloss over things when there's blood involved... but he made 'bad choices sometimes'? He endangered people.... a family... troopers. How would you have felt if he would have killed someone with his antics? I have a brother in prison for 40 years, because he got doped up, and shot and killed a man. Know what? He deserves to be there! No one wants to see anyone die, but he broke the law. I don't break it... thousands of others don't either. We need to be protected from the few that do, and if this is what it takes... so be it.
Posted by: Junior on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Well boys Im gonna tell right up front, Im sure glad someone had the nerve to put an end to this maddness thats coming from Kanawha County into our back yard. Its a shame that young man made the choice he did, what makes it worse is the opinions I see float around. My kin has been in Walton for years! I love my county, I love my Sheriffs Department, but I depend on my Troopers! I don't know who that young man is with the State, but I want to tell him thank you! Thank you for saving the lives around the store and up the road. I had a hard time with the robbery up here not long ago, now its time we count on the ones we do to get it done! bb if you dont, who knows will and can happen in the future
Posted by: work for a living on Dec 3, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I feel for this kid. He evidently either was a bad person from the time he was a baby, or he didn't have a proper upbringing. I bet it was the latter. He didn't have parents or guardians that loved him enough to tell him that he was responsible for his own actions, instead they probably upheld him whenever he got in trouble. I'll bet they even said his teachers picked on him when they tried to correct him in class. I'll bet as he got older and began having trouble with the law, his parents/guardians refused to discipline him and instead fueled his disrespect for authority and rules by telling him that he was somehow being targeted. Someone should have corrected this young man years ago and maybe a 19 year old would be living a productive life instead of being on life support. Parents, please don't mistake discipline with being mean to your children. It shows your love and may save their life someday.
Posted by: jo on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:58 PM
The troops wife comments below show how much class the troops and their families have.....
Posted by: police officer on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:31 PM
to all of you monday morning quarterbacks, first if you shoot him in the arm he can still drive and push the gas pedal and run you over and kill you, second there is no time to aim for someones head when you are about to be run over! you just fire and hope you stop the threat, next why is it always the police who should have done something different, he should have just surrendered!! this entire incident is his fault. do you really think a police officer ever wants to kill someone or shoot them??? get real! if you have all the ANSWRES THEN GO GET AN APPLICATION TO WORK LONG HOURS, NEVER SEE YOUR FAMILY AND GET NO RESPECT FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT EMPLOYS YOU AND FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEN HAVE IDIOTS TRY AND RUN YOU OVER FOR VERY LITTLE MONEY!! Lets see he beat his girlfriend, tried to run over the police twice, ran from the police twice and hes only 19! he is a career criminal in the making. i bet he even has a lengthy juvenile record. The police did their job now do yours pray for BOTH!!
Posted by: Kim on Dec 3, 2008 at 02:57 PM
If he was sitting in the lot OUT OF GAS.....how in the world did he magically get enough gas to start his vehicle and try to run down a cop?!?!?!? And was planning on fleeing again. You can't do any of those things if you are OUT OF GAS!!! You said the report said that. Where is that report? Did you see it? If so, please post a copy of that report on here so we can all see it.
Posted by: To Anoymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:21 PM on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:41 PM
That's hilarious! I mean, you calling out a trooper who was protecting his life by accusing him of having 'no guts', but you posting that without using your name is laughable. The one who really has 'no guts' here is the snivelling coward who posts anonymously. Uh, That'd be you.
Posted by: Confused on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:36 AM
If you are the wife of the victim, why in the world are you on a message board while he is lying in a hospital? I think I would be somewhere else and not worrying about what people are saying.
Posted by: KREIN BROTHER on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Where do they train these officers? What happend to leathal force when you have no other choices. In my oppinion there are times when you need to shoot and times when you can make other choices, I feel this was a time when other choices should have been made. This kid was 19 years old and had a whole lot of life left to live. He is on life suport tonight and may die. The officer who shot him will go on living each day and probably not think about who this kid could have mabee became. I feel for the officer and his family and althogh have mixed feeling on this matter. prayers go out to this man and may god have mercey on him for his decision that he made..... This 19 year old kid is my kid bother and i know he made bad choices sometimes but HE HAD A GOOD HEART.....HOPE YOU GET THROUGH THIS BRO are prayers are with you and we love you IN JESUS NAME AMEN. .
Posted by: to on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:25 AM
***NEWS FLASH***----IF YOU DRIVE A 3000LBS WEAPON TOWARDS THE STATE POLICE, YOU WILL BE SHOT! SEEMS PRETTY SIMPLE TO ME? KUDOS WVSP!
Posted by: Matt on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Sorry... I have no sympathy for this kid. Bottom line is... he broke the law. Twice. Endangered a family the first time, and reportedly endangered troopers the second. I've never been shot in the head.. know why? I don't break the law. Period. I'm not a cop, and I'm not dumb enough to believe all of them are perfect... but before making comments about them, put yourselves in their shoes. They face danger every single day. If guarantee you, if someone's driving toward me in a car in a threatening manner... they're gonna get shot, too.
Posted by: Annonymous2 on Dec 3, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Why would you try to shoot the tires? He's going to get on the roadway trying to run again, loose control and kill a family. He's trying to flee & He's trying to kill troopers...Do you think he cares about you driving down the road? Deadly force was clearly justified! Just for this purpose...To protect all the families driving down the road! Support your officers and pray for the victim!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Once again..... WSAZ didn't post my comment. Do you choose which ones you wanna post.... the ones that will get the audience more involved...and throw the rest out. Very disappointed.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:13 PM
i may not have known this boy but it has an effect on everyone around us. i will keep this family in my prayers and in my prayer requests at my church. Megan may the outcome be in your favor.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:47 PM
the report says he was out of gas at the station and the shot was from the side
Posted by: Wife of a Trooper on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:27 PM
As the wife of one of the troopers involved in the situation let me start by saying Megan is right prayers and thoughts are what we should be offering the family. It could just as easily have been my husband in the hospital right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for freedom of speech. I have no idea what this man did, and frankly I don't care. The only people who have any right to comment on what happened regarding this situation, or any other related to this incident are Mr. Krein, the passengers in the vehicle with him that night, and the officers involved. That being said, I worry about my husband every single day. The times he does call to tell me he's taking a call and going to be late I worry for his safety. But, it comes with the job. So, whatever your opinion, please understand it shouldn't be an us and them issue. Megan believe it or not, YOU are in MY thoughts, and I am hoping your family is well.
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I think some of you on here are watching to much TV. This isn't the first time this little punk tried this, his results were just a little different this time. The trooper did the right thing.
Posted by: Dorthy Ann on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:57 PM
The first incident happened right outside of my home and yes, the man did try to run the police over after he shot at them several times. They shot out his tire so he didn't make it to far.
Posted by: i wonder on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:53 PM
was the front windshield shot,or the side glass or side glass rolled down,even if the front windshield was shot through meaning the trooper was in front of the vehicle,just how fast was the car going even a headshot, if the car was going fast the car would still be going fairly fast,so the trooper had time to get out of the way,how could you justify a shot at the side glass that shows where the trooper was no danger there just a happy trigger finger and a license to kill.look at the victims car wsaz like cops say look at the evidence first.
Posted by: dave on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:23 PM
shoot a tire out? this is not the movies where the situation is resolved by shooting out a tire. get real. what do you think you'd do if you were a police officer and somone was trying to harm or kill you by running you over, I bet you would start firing as well. its unfortunate that the man is in the condition that he is in, but when you make dangerous decisions, you should not be surprised with a dangerous outcome.
Posted by: wren on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:14 PM
sure it does...guarenteed to stop the suspect! Shoot to stop, not kill. If death is a result, then oh' well!
Posted by: mike on Dec 2, 2008 at 04:00 PM
me: Where would be a self defense shot if the person was driving a car and you were standing outside???????????in the ankle?
Posted by: myself and kids on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:28 PM
This guy pasted me and my kids last week on a one lane road with another car coming at us,ran us both off the road and could have killed all of us.If he would have stopped for the troopers last week when they were looking for him,none of this would have happened.
Posted by: sf on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:18 PM
who was it already ?
Posted by: me on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:11 PM
a head shot does not sound like a self defense shot.
Posted by: megan krein on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:59 PM
again. thats my husband. he didnt have a gun. the doctors dont see him makin it..he is in bad shape. prayers would be greatly appreciated.even if you cant pray for him..pray for his family. we need all the prayer we can get.
Posted by: Mrs. P on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Gotta love the armchair Deputy Dawgs. Sounds like the troopers followed policy and procedure; of course, the US Supreme Court has ruled that law enforcement officers have the right to defend themselves.
Posted by: Anoymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Knowing how most law enforcement officers are, the guy was probably not even trying to run them over. Probably an officer with no guts and a big ego wanted to show his authority.
Posted by: Me on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Think about it people...He was driving a car. All body parts were IN THE CAR. They had to hit is haed or his hands...the only parts they could see over the steering wheel.
Posted by: Bob on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I have seen vids of people getting shot 5-6-7 or even more times in the chest with large cal pistols and they still keep moving and i seen one even still kill a cop. Why would shooting them in the arm or the tires out of made a difference???
Posted by: mike on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Anonymous. Get real! You watch too much television. If this suspect did what troopers allege he did, they had every right to react with deadly force just as if the suspect had pointed a gun at them.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Let someone try to run you over with a vehicle, I'm sure the officer didn't hit him in the head intentionally, I bet he didn't have a lot of time to take aim. Think about it.
Posted by: larry on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I wouldnt want to be ran over by a car with a flat tire.
Posted by: Donna on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Exactly! to anon. Thats what I'm thinkin, couldn't they have shot a tire out intead! Then the guy wouldn't be in critical condition. Some of these cops. EWWWWWWWWW!!!
Posted by: John on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:50 PM
To anonymous...was this guy only trying to run over the Tropper's shoes? I doubt it. This is the second time he's tried to run over them. Deadly force is absolutely justified.
Posted by: JF on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:28 PM
To Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:37 AM If they would have shot the tires there is still and gas pedal and the car will still move! The next question is, "Couldn't they have shot him in the arm?" What if this guy had a gun himself? I'm sure if the police officer was your relative you would want him to do everything in his power to stay alive and safe... and that is exactly what they are taught. Also, who's to say this man didn't have a warrant for attemped murder or something serious. Don't question, it may sound like a drastic measure but they know what they are doing.
Posted by: Jon Paul on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:18 PM
To the post at 10:37, the police don't shoot tires, they shoot people who threaten them or others. This is proper police procedure. Good shot.
Posted by: ROANE on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:06 PM
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME YET?
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:37 AM
did they have to shoot him in the head? Couldnt they have shot the tires out instead?
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