Joseph Tanner, 69, of Summersville, West Virginia, was shot dead on the evening of Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Beaver Lake Campground in Calvin. Nicholas County 911 received a call about a shooting at 7:19 p.m.; deputies and West Virginia State Police found Tanner on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to the head and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the shooting followed a verbal argument between Tanner and 59-year-old Cliff Bryan Salisbury of Mount Nebo. Investigators report the confrontation escalated and a single shot was fired. Salisbury was seen carrying a rifle around the campground, a hunting rifle was later visible near his vehicle, and he was taken into custody at the campground without incident and charged with murder in the first degree. The crime scene team processed the area while the investigation remained active; no motive or trial outcome has been reported.

If anyone was at Beaver Lake Campground on the evening of September 11 or has information about the argument or what led to the shooting, please come forward.