On a tragic afternoon in Parkersburg, West Virginia, the life of 28-year-old Cassandra Michelle Bailey, a White female, came to a devastating end. The events of October 19, 2016, unfolded dramatically in the parking lot behind an O'Reilly Auto Parts on Neal Street, culminating in a tense standoff with police that concluded with two deaths.
The incident began earlier that day with the shooting death of Brian Duanne Shann, 38, at a residence on East 12th Street.
Police identified Jason Edward Drain, 31, as the suspect in what they believed was a robbery-motivated killing. Later that afternoon, law enforcement located Drain in a white pick-up truck in the auto parts store's parking lot. With him in the vehicle was Cassandra Michelle Bailey.
As officers surrounded the truck, a standoff ensued. Witnesses reported hearing police negotiators urging Drain to surrender peacefully. Officers were heard yelling, "Jason, get out of the car. Put it down. Put it down.". A short time later, a gunshot rang out from within the truck. Police reported that Drain had turned the semi-automatic pistol on himself.
In the moments that followed, the situation took another tragic turn. According to police officials, Cassandra Michelle Bailey then picked up the same firearm and shot herself.. An eyewitness recalled hearing police address her directly, saying, "Cassandra, get out of the car. Put it down," before a second gunshot was heard.. Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin confirmed that no officers discharged their firearms during the incident.. Both Drain and Bailey were residents of Parkersburg. There were no arrests to be made in connection with Bailey's death, as it was determined she took her own life.
