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Police release I-79 gunman’s identity

WESTON — Authorities have identified the Interstate 79 gunman who shot an Upshur County deputy and then was shot dead by law enforcement Thursday morning.

Matthew Brevosky, 39, of Grindstone, Pennsylvania, used his vehicle to block both northbound lanes of I-79 traffic near the Weston exit and began shooting randomly with a rifle and a pistol at approximately 10:45 a.m. Thursday, officials said.

Upshur County Chief Deputy Mike Coffman was one of the first responders on the scene near the Weston exit in Lewis County and was shot in the thigh while attempting to stop traffic, Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller said.

Investigators believe Brevosky had driven through a toll booth on the West Virginia Turnpike heading north several hours before the shooting incident took place.

Lewis County Sheriff Dave Gosa told media outlets Friday that he believes Brevosky intended to target law enforcement,

Miller said Coffman and emergency crews responded to the scene after receiving a call from the director of the Upshur Office of Emergency Management. He said the suspect was reportedly taken down by law enforcement officers approximately 15 minutes after Coffman was shot.

According to Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon, Deputy Coffman came out of surgery later in the evening on Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery from his injury.

A GoFundMe page has been organized by Melissa Hallmark to help Coffman during this difficult time. As of 5:30 p.m. Friday evening, $740 of the $1,000 goal had already been raised.

The GoFundMe states that Coffman’s neighbors and community wanted to coordinate to support him and his family during this time. This fundraiser will allow the family to use the funds where they are needed. It also allows the community to show support.

The page also states Coffman drove himself to the hospital after being shot so that he would not put other first responders in danger

Both northbound lanes and one southbound lane were closed to traffic for several hours after the incident. All lanes reopened to traffic sometime between 4 and 4:30 p.m.

West Virginia State Police are investigating the shooting and are hoping to identify a clear motive behind Brevosky’s actions.

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