Car may provide clues in pastor's shooting

[WhiteFeather]

Everyone note criminals are stealing guns when people are down range changing targets, it would be real easy to get shot by your own firearm. Might be a good idea not leave bolt in firearm or OC while at range and do not go shooting alone, especially at public ranges.
Have a very good situational awareness around at the range.

Note this is West Virginia story.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homep...es-to-shooting

Car may provide clues in pastor's shooting

WAYNE -- The Wayne County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in their quest to solve the shooting death of the Rev. Mark McCalla.

Investigators are asking for any information regarding a mid-sized car with a New York license plate. A witness spotted it in the area close to the time of McCalla's June 19 death at the Beech Fork State Park rifle range.

Detectives also want any information concerning the vehicle's passenger. He is described as a 6-foot white male wearing a mohawk hair style.

Sheriff David Pennington did not have a description of the vehicle's driver. Anyone with information should contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 304-272-6378.

A state forestry worker found McCalla's body at the rifle range. The 48-year-old from Huntington died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Investigators believe the shooter fired in close proximity to McCalla. After the shooting, his body was dragged about 20 yards.

The shooting took place in a secluded area. Pennington does not believe anyone witnessed the attack.

Pennington said detectives are checking with rental car companies in the region to locate the vehicle with New York tags.

McCalla, an avid outdoorsman, was pastor at Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Huntington. Mourners attended his funeral Monday.

The victim's wife, the Rev. Pamela McCalla, released a prepared statement this week to The Herald-Dispatch. She expressed thanks to the community and a desire to know answers.

"I never imagined at the time that I would have to rely on that kindness and support because of the murder of my husband," she said of the community. "I would like to face the person who did this senseless act to ask for an explanation ... to explain away the void in our family, his church and this community. I cannot think of a single good excuse for this person's actions."

Pennington said the victim's outdoor hobbies included firearms. He owned several firearms, including rifles and handguns.

Two of McCalla's guns and a wallet were taken from the crime scene, Pennington said. State police divers searched a nearby lake Monday and Tuesday for the missing items to no avail.

Investigators have not said if one of the missing guns was used in McCalla's death.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is tracking the serial numbers for McCalla's guns. Pennington said the bureau already identified the number for one of the missing guns. That number was placed into a national criminal database.

Investigators also are checking pawn shops for the missing firearms.

The ATF, State Police and the sheriff's department continue working the case with other agencies. Pennington would not identify those agencies for fear it would lead to speculation about the case.

The motive for the fatal attack continues to baffle investigators. Pennington said they have several leads pointing in different directions but would not elaborate. He said no evidence connects those theories to a possible motive.

"One would assume it was a robbery without knowing anything else, but I don't know everything yet," he said. "We have a lot of work to do. The leads are coming in slow. They are positive leads, and it just takes time to do an investigation of this kind. You can't be too careful when investigating a murder."

Pennington said detectives are analyzing many pieces of evidence. He hopes that gives better direction to the investigation.

Investigators are reviewing recent reports of stolen guns at the rifle range. County and state authorities received similar reports in the past few months. They indicate guns were stolen as the victims replaced paper targets at the range. Deputies have not linked those reports to McCalla's death.

Police seek help
Anyone with information about the death of the Rev. Mark McCalla should call the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 304-272-6378.