UPDATE 6PM 2/26/10
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Cabell County Sheriffs say they have completed their investigation in the case of one of their own deputies shooting a man in Huntington. They say the victim did not have a weapon.

Deputies say on Jan. 15, an arrest warrant was issued for Jeremy Runyon for violating the conditions of his bond for a charge of third offense domestic violence. Deputies were trying to track down Runyon because of safety concerns of his domestic violence victim.

They say a check of Runyon's background showed two prior felony convictions that involved physical violence.

On Feb. 14, investigators say they found out Runyon would be at the Huntington Treatment Center the next morning and what kind of car he would be driving.

The next morning, the Sheriff's Department says Deputies A.S. Cremeans and M.R. Siebel were briefed on Runyon's charges and criminal history -- which they were told included a potential for violence. The deputies watched the treatment center, waiting on Runyon to arrive. When they saw him, the officers got out of their vehicles, and Deputy Siebel was told to move to the front of the treatment center.

When Runyon left the center, both deputies approached him and introduced themselves as officers, according to the Sheriff's Department.

They say Deputy Siebel was in uniform and had a marked cruiser. He advised Runyon not to move and that he was under arrest. Runyon ran off.

Officers say the foot chase ended in the 500 block 4 1/2 alley when Runyon hit a dead end in the back yard of 423 4th St.

They say Deputy Cremeans was able to keep up with him and drew his gun. He then ordered Runyon to pull his hand out of his pocket and stay where he was. Runyon continued to walk toward Cremeans, who was holding a cell phone with his left hand and refusing to remove his right hand from his pocket.

Officers say Runyon was ordered multiple times to remove his hand from his pocket to prove that he did not have a weapon. Deputies say Runyon refused.

According to the Sheriff's Department news release: "The suspect was advancing aggressively and was approximately nine (9) feet away when the deputy, fearing for his life, fired his sidearm, striking the suspect in the lower quadrant of the abdomen."

Officers say there were two witnesses who say Deputy Cremeans did indeed give verbal commands to Runyon to pull his hand out of his pocket before the shooting.

A search of Runyon after the shooting showed Runyon did not have a gun.

The investigation was conducted by the Cabell County Sheriff's Department, the Huntington Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.

It all happened in Huntington shortly before 7 a.m. Monday.

Three sheriff's deputies were serving a Cabell County arrest order on Jeremy Runyon. That order stemmed from a third-offense domestic violence incident. But, Runyon decided he didn't want to go to jail today and took off running.

The chase started in the 100 block of 4th Avenue. Sources say Runyon was coming out of a methadone clinic when three Cabell County Sheriff's deputies approached and identified themselves.

"The individual being pursued ran into area and couldn't escape. He turned around and officer issued verbal commands. The man walked toward the officer with his hand in his pocket," Cabell County Sheriff Tom McComas said.

That's when one of the deputies fired several shots, hitting Runyon once in the abdomen.

"I heard three pops and thought it was a car. But then the dogs started barking like crazy, and they told me someone had been shot,” Michael Runyon said.

Michael has lived in that location for 35 years. During that time, he's seen an increase in suspicious activity moving back and forth past his home. Never did he dream, though, it would land in his own backyard.

"Someone gets shot in your backyard, it upsets you," he said.

As for the suspect, McComas says he's in stable condition, and his injuries are not life threatening.

The investigation, meanwhile, is continuing.

"Any time deadly force used, we want to make sure our investigation is thorough, clean and transparent," McComas said.

He added that the suspect Jeremy Runyon and homeowner Michael Runyon are not believed to be related.

McComas would not say whether the suspect had a weapon on him -- only that that and other details, including the deputy's identity, would come out later as this investigation develops.

The sheriff considers all three of the deputies involved in the pursuit as veteran officers who are fully trained and certified in law enforcement.
The deputy who shot Runyon has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.

UPDATE 2/15/10 2:30pm
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Cabell County Sheriff Thomas McComas has released details of the deputy involved shooting Monday morning in Huntington.

McComas says in news release that the victim is Jeremy Runyon, 31, of South Point, Ohio.

In that release, the Sheriff says at approximately 6:52 Monday morning, deputies were attempting to execute a Cabell County Circuit Court arrest warrant when they spotted Mr. Runyon leaving a building in the 100 bock of 4th Avenue.

McComas says that when deputies identified themselves; Mr. Runyon took off on foot.

He says deputies then chased Runyon to the 300 block of 4 ½ alley where he was cornered in an “area which provided no further escape route.”

The Sheriff then says Mr. Runyon then turned on the deputy and began advancing toward his position. The deputy continued issuing verbal commands, but Mr. Runyon refused to comply and continued toward him with his hand in his pocket.

Fearing for his safety, McComas says that the deputy fired his gun hitting Mr. Runyon once in the abdomen. He is said to be in stable condition in a Huntington hospital.

The deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Sheriff is not releasing his name at this time.

Sheriff McComas says the arrest warrant was for 3rd offense domestic violence.

He also says Runyon has prior criminal history that includes convictions for multiple acts of aggravated assault.

McComas would not say if they found a weapon on Runyon.

The Cabell County Sheriff’s Office, Huntington Police and the Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices is handling the investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY 2/15
HUNTINGTON, W.Va (WSAZ) -- The Cabell County Sheriff says that a deputy was involved in an shooting near downtown Huntington Monday morning.

The officer involved shooting happened in the backyard of a house in the 300 block of 5th Ave

Dispatchers tell WSAZ.com the shooting apparently happened following a short pursuit. This was right before 7:00 a.m. Monday.

Sheriff Tom McComas says the man was shot once. He does not believe his wound is life threatening.

We're told the deputy was not hurt.

The Sheriff also tells WSAZ.com the man was wanted on an indictment, and that is what led to the incident.

McComas says he plans to release more information Monday afternoon.

Police blocked off the alley between 4th and 5th Avenue. They also taped off the backyard of a nearby house where the shooting happened.

Huntington Police, West Virginia State Police and Cabell County Sheriff Deputies are on the scene.

A neighbor tells WSAZ.com that she heard multiple gunshots right before 7:00 a.m.

Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for updated information.