ELKINS – A Beverly resident, 26-year-old Matthew Douglas Witsoe, remains behind bars in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a charge of wanton endangerment involving a firearm.

Witsoe was arrested late on Dec. 22 following an incident at the Elkins Hampton Inn. Bond was set at $50,000 cash only by Randolph County Chief Magistrate George Riggleman on Dec. 24.

In court documents, West Virginia State Police Senior Trooper C.E. Elliott stated he was contacted by Hampton Inn General Manager Lisa Riggs at approximately 9:26 p.m. She told police Witsoe, a guest in room 415 at the hotel, had been involved in some “suspicious behavior” and wanted to make law enforcement officials aware of his whereabouts in case there were “any further incidents.” Elliott advised Riggs to also contact the Randolph County 911 Center and pass the information on to them.

Riggs explained to The Inter-Mountain the guests in the room had checked in the day before and were originally scheduled to check out earlier that day. She said the front desk contacted the room about noon and the occupants said they wanted to stay another night.

The guests did come down to pay for an additional night but later refused to grant housekeeping staff access to the room.

Riggs said, “They kind of threw the towels out in the hallway at the housekeepers. It was just kind of suspicious to me that they wouldn’t let housekeeping into the room and housekeeping had heard them inside the room arguing. That’s when I called to get them checked out.”

A few minutes after Riggs’ call, Elliott was advised by the 911 Center there were outstanding felony and misdemeanor arrest warrants on file for Witsoe.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Elliott, along with Cpl. K.A. Corley and Cpl. S.P. Miller, went to the Hampton Inn. Elliott knocked on the door but got no response. Shortly after, a hotel employee told Elliott a room occupant had called the front desk advising them someone was knocking on the room door.

Elliott again knocked on the door and announced his presence but got no response. In the criminal complaint, Elliott wrote he heard a female approach the door from inside and state she was opening it but then did not.

During the ensuing “stand off” – which lasted approximately 30 minutes – the officers reported hearing a sound which was described in the complaint as consistent with the sound of a “pistol racking.”

In the criminal complaint, Elliott stated he also heard “a muffled noise which he believed to be one single gun shot.” The officers attempted to open the door several times with a key but the deadbolt prevented them. According to the complaint, Elliott requested that Randolph County 911 dispatch “appropriate breaching tools” to the hotel.

At approximately 11:15 p.m., Witsoe told the officers he was opening the door. He was then detained without incident. Two other people in the room were also detained, including a woman identified as Jessica Ray.

When Witsoe was searched for weapons, he told officers his name was Stephen and that he did not have any identification; however, he was later identified by Cpl. B.D. Tice of the Elkins Police Department. His identification and social security card were later found underneath the television stand in the room. He was placed in custody by Elliott and verbally advised of his Miranda rights. He waived his rights and agreed to be questioned, the complaint states.

Witsoe gave the officers permission to search room 415. During the search, Elliott observed a handgun on the bed. In the criminal complaint, it was described as a “Lorcin .380 pistol, silver in color with black grips.” According to the complaint, the pistol did not have a round in the chamber but did have a loaded magazine that contained five .380 rounds.

During further investigation, Elliott observed a single bullet hole in the northern wall of the room. It was discovered the bullet traveled through the wall into the adjacent room, which was unoccupied. The bullet was recovered by Elliott and Corley from inside the mattress in the room, the complaint stated.

After learning that Ray had outstanding warrants for her arrest, both she and Witsoe were taken to the WVSP’s Elkins detachment. During processing, a spent casing was located in Witsoe’s pants pocket. It was also discovered he had suffered from a contact burn on his left side near his armpit believed to be connected to the aforementioned gunshot. Witsoe told the officer he did not need medical attention, the complaint stated.

During questioning, Witsoe said he did not threaten or forcibly prevent Ray from leaving the hotel room, according to the complaint. He also stated he had purchased the pistol approximately two days before but would not say where he bought it. He said he bought it for personal safety. He indicated his original plan was to break out the fourth floor room window so he could jump out and escape, police said.

Witsoe was taken to Davis Medical Center to be examined. He again declined medical treatment, police said.. He was then taken to TVRJ where he remains.