19-year-old killed in vape shop shooting; 14-year-old charged with murder

A man died Tuesday night after a shooting at a smoke shop in the North Charleston area that police are investigating as a robbery/homicide.
Published: Jan. 31, 2024 at 8:48 AM EST

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The victim of a shooting at a vape shop on Tuesday evening has been identified by law enforcement.

According to the Charleston Police Department, Caden Martin, 19, of Dunbar, was found dead behind the counter inside the vape shop.

The shooting happened on Jan. 30, around 8:49 p.m. at Tobacco & Pipe along 7th Avenue.(WSAZ)

Smoke shop employee killed in shooting

The shooting happened around 8:49 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Tobacco & Pipe along 7th Avenue.

There's a large police presence Tuesday night at a smoke shop on Charleston's West Side,(WSAZ/Dominick Groves)

Martin was an employee of the business.

The Charleston Police Department and Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department responded to an armed robbery call.

According to law enforcement, a 14-year-old entered the store, pulled out a firearm, and demanded money and merchandise.

Police say Martin complied with the teen’s demands and at no time took an aggressive approach.

As the teen was leaving the store, he fired multiple rounds at Martin.

The accused shooter left the store and headed toward the Kanawha River.

Martin suffered multiple gunshot wounds, law enforcement said.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., the 14-year-old was taken into custody and charged with murder and robbery. Investigators say more charges are possible. They also said the youth has no history of criminal activity.

Investigators said they don’t believe there’s a connection between the suspect and Martin and that it was an isolated incident.

The last time a juvenile was charged with murder in Charleston was 2009, Charleston Police said during a news conference.

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