Thursday, August 11, 2011

Riverton, WV: Police say murder-suicide motive may remain mystery

— RIVERTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Police at the Franklin detachment are continuing their investigation into Tuesday’s murder-suicide that occurred at Hinkle Trucking, located near Riverton.

According to statements from witnesses, Delmus Mark Dye, 48, of Burlington arrived at the trucking business and began shooting a revolver into the parking lot of the business. Dye did not exit his truck and shot through the window of his pickup truck.

Tony William Sites, 63, was struck in the throat and neck area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dye then shot himself in the head. He was flown by helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, where he died later that night.

In early reports, Cpl. Andrew Teter stated that it is not believed that Sites was the intended target. Police are investigating the possibility that Dye came to the business with the intention of causing harm to his girlfriend and Sites was caught in the crossfire.

“Mr. Dye’s girlfriend was an employee at Hinkle Trucking; it is still unclear of the motive or the relationship between the girlfriend and Mr. Sites, or the shooter’s intended target. We may never know the answers to those questions,” said Teter.

Sites was an employee of Hinkle Trucking since 1999. He is survived by a companion of 37 years and three daughters, five sons and a stepson.

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