On August 2, 2018, a tragic incident occurred in Charleston, West Virginia, resulting in the death of Kenneth 'Donnie' Bays, a 33-year-old resident of the city. The event unfolded in the 1600 block of Chandler Drive, where an altercation between Bays and another individual led to a fatal shooting.
The suspect in this case is Joseph Wayne Barker, a 38-year-old man also from Charleston.
According to the Charleston police, Barker and Bays were involved in an argument over money, which escalated into a violent confrontation. During this altercation, Barker shot Bays in the face, leading to his immediate death at the scene.
Barker was promptly identified and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Bays' death. He was taken into custody and had a video arraignment in Kanawha County Magistrate Court. The criminal complaint filed in the court detailed the events leading to the shooting, highlighting the dispute over money as the primary cause of the altercation.
The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings were handled by the Charleston police and the Kanawha County judicial system. The swift action taken by law enforcement ensured that Barker was held accountable for his actions, and he faced the appropriate legal consequences for the murder of Kenneth 'Donnie' Bays.
Bays' death was met with grief from his family and community. He is survived by his parents, Kenneth A. and Sandra L. McCune Bays, and his fianc e, Kristy Miller. Funeral services were held at the Cunningham, Parker & Johnson Funeral Home, followed by burial at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston.
In summary, the death of Kenneth 'Donnie' Bays was a result of a violent altercation with Joseph Wayne Barker, who was subsequently arrested, charged, and arraigned for first-degree murder. The incident highlights the tragic consequences of disputes that escalate into violence and the importance of swift and thorough law enforcement action in such cases.
