Marshall County Prosecutor Joe Canestraro is hopeful he’ll soon receive he will the results of a State Police investigation into the officer-involved shooting that ended a hostage situation nearly two weeks ago.
David and Monica Will, 44 and 46 respectively, were murdered during the early-morning hours on October 1 when 25-year-old Cyle Fabrizio shot through a window in the household and busted down the back door of the dwelling on Middle Grave Creek Road. Once two deputies reported to the scene, Fabrizio reportedly fired one of his handguns at the officers, and then an unnamed deputy fired a single .223 round and killed the assailant.
The name of the deputy has not been released by Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty.
Fabrizio held the Wills’ 16-year-old daughter hostage during the brief standoff, and the threat was terminated when the assailant was shot while shielding himself with the female and pointing a handgun to her head. A suicide letter written by Fabrizio was discovered by his father and given to Sgt. Bear Mobley soon after the standoff ended. The letter, according to Mobley, indicated that Fabrizio was not planning to survive his attack on the Wills family.
Canestraro has been reviewing filed reports and eyewitness accounts of the tragedy took place, but he’s still awaiting the official investigation reports from troopers with the West Virginia State Police so he can sign off on the incident.
“As soon as the State Police complete its investigation into the officer-involved shooting, I will review that work,” he said. “Even though it’s obvious what took place, what I am doing now is all part of the process in a situation like this one.
“I’ve look at a lot of information since it took place, and I’ve talked with a lot of people, too, and right now it looks like it was a good shoot on behalf of the Marshall County deputy,” Canestraro revealed. “I’m hoping to see the State Police report soon so everyone involved can move forward.”
The 16-year-old daughter and her 14-year-old brother survived, and the funeral services for Monica Lynn Will and for Duane David Will Jr. were held Friday at the Weirton First Church of the Nazarene and were officiated by Pastor Bennett Briles, Pastor Larry Barkley, and Pastor Shawn Smith.
Canestraro said while the results of the tragedy are well known, investigators are determining the exact sequence of events to provide closure and answers for the victims’ families.
“It has been reported that the assailant did shoot at one victim through a window, and it’s also been announced that he broke down a locked door to the home before he shot and killed the second victim,” the prosecutor explained. “If other events took place that night, it’s important for the investigators to document them. That’s why it’s important for us to take care of this process.”
Investigators with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office also are working on the details of Fabrizio’s attack on the Wills family, and Sheriff Dougherty is expected to release those details when complete.
