UDATED 8 a.m. DEC. 21

CHARLES TOWN – A violent break-in and shooting injured one man in Charles Town early Monday morning after four masked men kicked in the door to his house, and police are searching for additional information from anyone who may have witnessed the crime.

Joseph Killian, 29, sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the neck and one to the groin, when four men broke into his house on Flowing Acres Road around 1:30 a.m. Monday, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Robert “Bobby” Shirley.

Joseph Killian’s wife Paula Killian, 2-year-old son and mother, Kathy, also were present in the home but did not sustain gunshot wounds.

“Everyone was in bed, and four people wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks came to the house. … The people were woken up when the front door was kicked in,” Shirley said. “They demanded money, two of them brandished firearms, and walked toward the victim’s bedroom. … A struggle ensued and (Joseph Killian) was shot twice.”

There was a lot of activity following the shots, and the victim yelled for his wife to call 911, police said. She was able to make the call, and then the intruders fled the house.

“I can’t remember anything like this happening recently in Jefferson County,” Shirley said.

Police said the intruders appear to have fled on foot, and the victims said they thought the intruders were three white men and one black man.

Joseph Killian was transported to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, and from there he was airlifted to Winchester Medical Center for surgery because of his extensive injuries.

“We’re planning to talk to the victim when he’s stable to see if he would recognize a voice or who the persons might have been,” Shirley said. “We also contacted all agencies in the surrounding area to tell them what occurred and to ask them to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”

Police think the intruders might have specifically targeted the Killian residence, but Shirley is unsure why the specific house may have been chosen.

“It appears these people targeted this family for a certain reason. … We’re not sure what the reason is, but I feel they targeted the family for a certain reason,” Shirley said. “Of all the places around, to come there at 1:30 a.m., prepared – it seems they targeted the household.

“If anybody has any information, or might have seen something, maybe a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed or any unusual activity, or heard anything, let us know. A lot of times, these little things pan out to help us.”

Detective S.M. Holz is handling the investigation and can be contacted at 304-728-3265. The Ranson Police Department, Shepherdstown Police Department and Shepherd University Police assisted the Sheriff’s Department with the case.

POSTED 9:30 p.m. DEC. 20

CHARLES TOWN – A man was shot just after 1:30 a.m. Monday county and municipal law enforcement was dispatched to a shooting that occurred on Flowing Springs Road.

According to an officer that was on the scene, multiple subjects entered the house and encountered the resident. During the invasion one of the intruders shot the resident twice. According to WHAG’s website, the victim was later identified as Joseph Killian, 29.

The responding officer said Killian was flown to Winchester Hospital where his condition is unknown and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 304-728-3265.

– Staff Reports