On a Sunday in the small community of Coal City, West Virginia, the life of Robert Lee Stone, a 34-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On February 10, 2019, an argument over money escalated into a physical altercation that ended in gunfire. Robert was shot in the chest and succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a loving family and a community in shock. Two other adult males were also wounded during the incident but survived their injuries.
The Raleigh County Sheriff's Office quickly identified a suspect, 18-year-old Cory Adkins of Beaver. Investigators were able to locate the handgun used in the shooting and, after conducting interviews with witnesses, arrested Adkins. He was charged with murder for the death of Robert Stone and for the wounding of the other two men.
Adkins was subsequently held at the Southern Regional Jail without bond.
Robert was remembered as a man with an amazing soul who loved everybody and never met a stranger. Described as having a personality bigger than life itself, he was a beloved son, brother, father, and uncle. His family and friends mourned the loss of a man who could light up a room with his smile and was always willing to help others. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, as the community came together to remember a life taken too soon.
