The following vignettes describe the circumstances for killings not ruled self-defense by private individuals with permits to carry concealed handguns. The incidents below all occurred in West Virginia. The descriptions include the current, known status of any charges filed against the concealed carry killer as reported by news sources as well as noting instances where the perpetrator committed suicide.
The Violence Policy Center welcomes any new information regarding the status of any case (with verifiable source(s)). Use this link to contact the VPC: http://www.vpc.org/contact.htm.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Jeffery L. Sampson CONVICTED
Date: January 10, 2017
People Killed: 2
Circumstances: On January 10, 2017, concealed handgun permit holder Jeffery L. Sampson, 47, shot and killed Shawn and Brandi Hardman. The incident began when Karen Sampson, Jeffery’s ex-wife, was cleaning her bathroom and saw a pair of feet in her shower, revealing her estranged husband, who was holding a gun. As she was cleaning she had been talking to her friend Brandi Hardman, who she eventually asked to come over. Upon arriving at the home, Brandi and her husband Shawn Hardman confronted Sampson. The two men briefly fought resulting in Shawn Hardman being shot. Hardman retreated to another room where the two women were hiding. Although Brandi was blocking the door, Sampson eventually managed to get his arm through the door frame and fired a second shot, which struck and killed Brandi Hardman. On March 28, 2018, Jeffery Sampson was convicted of two counts of first degree murder, kidnapping, burglary, presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and wanton endangerment with a firearm. On June 25, 2018, Sampson was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility for parole for the murders and an additional 30 years for the kidnapping.
Source: “Jeffery Sampson Sentenced,” thenewscenter.tv, June 25, 2018; “Sampson convicted on all counts in double-murder case,” newsandsentinel.com, March 28, 2018; “Jeffery Sampson double-murder trial begins,” newsandsententiel.com, March 22, 2018.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Barry Allen Stewart and Kimberly Ann Stines SUICIDE
Date: September 3, 2013
People Killed: 2 (including shooter)
Circumstances: On September 3, 2013, concealed handgun permit holders Barry Allen Stewart, 31, and Kimberly Ann Stines, 34, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in Stewart’s home. The firearm believed to be used in the shootings was found in the home, but the identity of the shooter was not reported. Stewart and Stines were married in January 2010 and divorced in October of the same year though Stines continued to live at the residence from time to time. Stines filed a domestic violence petition against Stewart which was dismissed for lack of evidence in March 2013.
Source: “Family shocked by couple’s deaths,” herald-dispatch.com, September 6, 2013; “Two dead in domestic shooting,” herald-dispatch.com, September 3, 2013; “Domestic violence suspected after 2 found dead near Huntington,” Charleston Daily Mail, September 3, 2013.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Christopher Wayne Bowling CONVICTED
Date: January 31, 2010
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On January 31, 2010, concealed handgun permit holder Christopher Wayne Bowling, 38, allegedly shot and killed his wife Tresa with a handgun. In court testimony, the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, who was “just feet away” when her mother was shot and killed, testified to a history of domestic abuse in the home. Bowling maintained that the shooting was accidental and had occurred on a “good day between the two.” According to his friend, State Trooper Mark Painter, “He made the statement that he had wanted to kill her a thousand times before but not this day.” Bowling was charged with first-degree murder.
UPDATE: On October 31, 2011, Christopher Wayne Bowling was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting of his wife Tresa. Bowling was convicted of first degree murder and an additional charge of using a firearm in committing the crime.
Source: “Judge affirms life sentence for Bowling,” Register-Herald.com, November 1, 2011; “Daughter testifies in murder trial,” Register-Herald.com, May 6, 2011.