Smoke shop employee killed in shooting

UPDATE 1/30/24 @ 10:15 p.m.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - 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, Charleston Police Lt. Tony Hazelett said.

The incident was reported around 8:40 p.m. at Tobacco and Pipe in the 2800 block of 7th Avenue.

Hazelett said an employee at the smoke shop was the victim. The suspect ran toward the Kanawha River.

Several officers, including with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police, are looking for that suspect.

Police say they don’t believe the suspect is a threat to the public, but anyone with information is asked to call 911.

We’re working to get more details. Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.

ORIGINAL STORY

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - There’s a large police presence Tuesday night at a smoke shop on in the North Charleston area, according to our crew at the scene.

Officers with several agencies, including the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and West Virginia State Police, are all on scene, located in the 2800 block of 7th Avenue.

A sign outside the business identifies it as Tobacco and Pipe. There is crime scene tape around the business.

Dispatchers initially received a call about a robbery involving possible injuries. That was around 8:45 p.m.

We have a crew at the scene working to get more information.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.