Mark Anthony Ward, a 48-year-old Caucasian male, died on March 31, 2018, following a shooting incident in St. Paul, Virginia. The event that led to his death occurred at a business on Russel Creek Road, where he was shot in the head. Ward succumbed to his injuries two days after the shooting.
The individual arrested in connection with the shooting was identified as 68-year-old Larry Fields, who was described as Ward's ex-brother-in-law and a co-worker.
According to witnesses, the two men had been engaged in what was initially described as horseplay before the situation escalated. Fields, a resident of Dante, Virginia, claimed that the shooting was accidental. The incident took place at their workplace, identified as Deer Builders in St. Paul.
Initially, Fields was charged with felony reckless handling of a firearm and aggravated malicious wounding. However, following Ward's death, the Wise County Sheriff's Office worked with the Commonwealth's Attorney to upgrade the charges. Subsequently, Fields was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder by reckless handling of a firearm, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Larry Fields was held without bond pending his trial. A trial in the Wise County Circuit Court was set for July 25, 2018. The outcome of this trial, including any conviction or sentencing, is not detailed in the available online sources.
