Arbogast

MONTROSE – A Randolph County man faces an attempted murder charge after allegedly shooting another man multiple times in the head Thursday night, while another Randolph County man faces a felony charge for allegedly helping during the shooting.

Derek Justin Arbogast, 36, is charged with one count of first-degree attempted murder, a felony. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond, issued by Randolph County Magistrate Michael Dyer.

Arbogast allegedly shot Brett Lee Arbogast multiple times during a scuffle at a Montrose residence, police said.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Trooper H.J. Bonetti with the West Virginia State Police, on Feb. 12 at approximately 9:15 p.m., members of the State Police Elkins Detachment, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Elkins City Police Department were dispatched by 911 to a residence on Mule Hollow Road in Montrose in regard to a report of shots fired.

Randolph County Board of Emergency Management advised that the shooter was Arbogast, the complaint states. While traveling to the residence, Bonetti came across a male subject walking along the roadway. The male subject put his hands in the air and knelt to his knees. 

When asked by Bonetti what his name was, the male subject said he was Derek Arbogast, the complaint states. Derek Arbogast allegedly stated that he “just wanted everything to be over with.” Bonetti placed him under arrest and reportedly observed blood on his face and arms.

According to the criminal complaint, Brett Lee Arbogast told police that he had been standing near a wood stove in the residence when Derek Arbogast entered and presented a firearm. Derek Arbogast then reportedly shot Brett Lee Arbogast “point blank in the head.” 

A physical altercation ensued between the two men, the complaint states. Derek Arbogast allegedly fired two more shots during this altercation.

The alleged victim stated that he attempted to leave the residence, but was allegedly dragged back inside by Larry Brian Talkington, 63, the complaint states. Talkington reportedly continued to prevent the Brett Lee Arbogast from leaving the residence again.

Talkington is charged with one count of principle in second-degree attempted murder or accessory before the fact. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond, issued by Dyer.

Once back inside, the alleged victim was reportedly shot two more times at “point black range” by Derek Arbogast, the complaint states.

According to the criminal complaint, during processing at the West Virginia State Police Elkins Detachment, Derek Arbogast allegedly asked First Sergeant J. R. Wince, “Is he okay?” Wince responded “Who, Brett? No, you shot him five times.”

Derek Arbogast then allegedly said, “I thought one (shot) would do it. I know it was .22, but being that close I thought one (shot) would do it.”