In the winter of 2019, the life of a young White man, Brantley Jared Langford, 20, was tragically cut short in his Clarksburg, West Virginia, residence. On January 7th, his roommate, Mason Taylor Lynch, then 23, took a shotgun, walked down the hallway to Langford's bedroom, and fatally shot him. Following the shooting, Lynch also attacked Langford's girlfriend, which led to an additional charge of battery.
Brantley, a Clarksburg native born on December 15, 1998, was a graduate of Robert C. Byrd High School, class of 2017, where he had been a basketball player. At the time of his death, he was working as a pipeliner for Ryan Energy Services. He was a father, engaged to be married, and is remembered by his family as a kind soul who was devoted to his loved ones, especially his daughter.
His interests included hunting, fishing, and supporting WVU and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In October 2019, Mason Lynch pleaded guilty to murder and battery in a Harrison County courtroom. During the plea hearing, no motive for the crime was provided. As part of a plea agreement, Lynch faced a life prison term with the possibility of parole after 15 years. The hearing was attended by a large group of Langford's family and supporters.
