On a cold winter morning in Philippi, West Virginia, the life of 21-year-old David Jacob "Jake" Heater was tragically cut short. The White male was found deceased on January 3, 2022, at the public shooting range within the Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area in Barbour County. An investigation into his death was launched, revealing that he had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
As authorities delved into the circumstances surrounding Heater's death, their focus soon turned to Stoane Mason Binegar, a 19-year-old from Blacksville in Monongalia County. Investigators were able to piece together a timeline of events by examining social media activity, which indicated that Binegar and Heater had been together throughout the night and into the early morning hours leading up to the discovery of Heater's body.
This digital trail placed Binegar at the scene of the crime around the time the shooting was believed to have occurred.
Already incarcerated on unrelated charges, Binegar was questioned by the West Virginia State Police. During this questioning, he confessed to the shooting. According to law enforcement, the two young men had been at the shooting range together when, for no apparent reason, Binegar raised a gun and shot Heater as they were leaving. The motive for the killing remained unclear to investigators, who described it as a senseless act.
Following his confession, Stoane Mason Binegar was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of David Jacob Heater. Authorities reported that the firearm believed to have been used in the incident, which was described as a stolen gun, was later sold. However, investigators were successful in tracking down and recovering the weapon to be used as evidence in the case against Binegar.
